Woman attacked at Whole Foods says store failed to ensure customer safety

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From Deirdre Bardolf

A woman who was hit in the head with a glass bottle while shopping at Whole Foods claims in a lawsuit that the Midtown store failed to protect its customers.

Cassidy Arkin, 49, was shopping at the Sixth Avenue supermarket in October when she was surprised by a rampaging maniac, authorities said.

Michael Howell, 33, allegedly attacked a 24-year-old man outside the store with a glass bottle, then went into the store, grabbed another bottle and slammed Arkin in front of a grocery counter with it.

He then fled to a nearby subway, took the train one stop to Rockefeller Center and cradled a 55-year-old passenger with another bottle, authorities said.

Arkin suffered a severed earlobe and staples in her scalp and pulled shards of glass from her body.

Whole Foods failed to properly hire, supervise and train employees whose job it was to protect customers, she alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The Harlem-based producer and director, who is seeking unspecified damages, said she is suffering from permanent physical injuries and mental anguish following the attack.

Howell, an eight-time felon, is incarcerated at Rikers Island on assault charges.

The criminal proceedings are pending.

Arkin and her attorney declined to comment.

Whole Foods did not respond to a message seeking comment.