February 3, 2026 BROOKLYN, NY The streets of Prospect Heights felt a little less safe Monday after a judge made a decision that has left New Yorkers—and prosecutors—absolutely floored.

Hilda Grullon, the woman accused of a terrifying weekend rampage that began with a shattered glass bottle and ended with children watching their father being assaulted, is officially back out on the street. Here is the chilling breakdown of the spree and the controversial ruling that followed.

The 3:30 P.M. Terror Spree

It was a typical Saturday afternoon at the Burrito Bar & Kitchen on Flatbush Avenue. Families were dining and drinks were being served until, police say, 44-year-old Hilda Grullon turned the eatery into a combat zone.

Without provocation, Grullon allegedly grabbed a glass bottle and bludgeoned a 63-year-old man who was simply trying to enjoy his meal. But she wasn't done.

Ambushing Families in Broad Daylight

According to court documents, Grullon "barreled" out of the restaurant and took her violence to the sidewalk, targeting four more unsuspecting strangers:

• The Father: A 52-year-old man was struck while walking just steps ahead of his wife and two young children, aged 5 and 8.

• The Cell Phone Attack: Two women, ages 20 and 53, were clobbered in the face—one of them allegedly beaten with a cell phone used as a weapon.

• The Knife Menace: Witnesses claim Grullon swung a knife at another woman while screaming profanities during the chaotic spree.

The Courtroom Shocker: "Supervised Release"

Despite Grullon’s history—which sources say includes seven prior convictions, several for assault—and a plea from the District Attorney’s office to hold her on $40,000 cash bail, Judge Jacob Zelmanovitz opted for mercy.

Zelmanovitz granted Grullon supervised release, effectively letting her walk out of the courthouse. The decision stands in stark contrast to the violent nature of the charges, which include multiple counts of assault and weapons possession.

"Humility" vs. Public Safety?

Judge Zelmanovitz, once described as a "lawyer’s lawyer," has previously stated his goal was to bring "humility to the bench" and an "understanding of what people who appear before [him] are going through."

For the five victims left with bruises, gashes, and the trauma of a random midday attack, that "humility" feels like a slap in the face. As the Bronx and Brooklyn grapple with a rise in random street violence, this case serves as a lightning rod for the ongoing debate over New York’s bail reform and judicial discretion.