The world has been left in shock after the 90-year-old owner of Ray's Candy was brutally assaulted and beaten up by a stranger outside the shop. The Ray’s Candy owner, Ray Alvarez, was left with a black eye and a deep cut on his face after the person allegedly attacked him. Officials have reported that the incident took place around 3 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.As per the authorities, Ray is recovering and has returned to work after the incident. One of Ray’s Candy’s employees said that the alleged incident took place after a man approached them under the guise of selling bottled water. The employee, Gabe Thorne, said:"Out of nowhere pulls out a piece of rope with a rubber ball on the end, and hits me right here, I'm like wow.”Alexis McAdams@AlexisMcAdamsTVJust talked to Ray, the 90 year old owner of the famous Ray’s Candy Store.He was badly beaten outside of his NYC shop by an attacker who hit him in the head using a belt w/ a heavy rock tied onto the end.#NewYorkCity #NYC #crime22372Just talked to Ray, the 90 year old owner of the famous Ray’s Candy Store.He was badly beaten outside of his NYC shop by an attacker who hit him in the head using a belt w/ a heavy rock tied onto the end.#NewYorkCity #NYC #crime https://t.co/JcfISV1mqHAs soon as the Ray's Candy employees ran inside, the man started hitting Ray. Thorne added that even after being hurt, Ray did not want to go to the hospital but just wanted to rest for a bit before returning to work. At the moment, the police are searching for the suspect and are looking for any clues or help from civilians.Meanwhile, netizens are in shock and dismay after hearing about the incident, and a few are even stating how it would not have taken place if there were more cops patrolling the neighborhood.“Heal up, Ray! We love you”: Social media users wish a speedy recovery to Ray's Candy owner As the world learned about their favorite Ray’s Candy’s owner being brutally hit, posts from all over the USA started pouring in on social media. People are in shock and are questioning how someone could think of attacking a 90-year-old. Others are sending their good wishes to Ray and wishing him a speedy recovery. One social media user said:“Ray's Candy Store is a NYC institution! What kind of P.O.S. attacks a 90 year old?! Heal up, Ray! We love you!”Roger Stern@NYRogerSternLong-time E. Village candy store owner Ray Alvarez who is 90 attacked by a man swinging a belt with a stone. Ray had declined to buy the attacker’s seltzer. #1010WINS56Long-time E. Village candy store owner Ray Alvarez who is 90 attacked by a man swinging a belt with a stone. Ray had declined to buy the attacker’s seltzer. #1010WINS https://t.co/Wz4LE7UJvZAshley Reese@offbeatorbiti can't believe some dude beat up ray of ray's candy store like the dude is 90. depraved.711i can't believe some dude beat up ray of ray's candy store like the dude is 90. depraved.Teddy Brown@TM_Brown@offbeatorbit God I just read the news item this is awful. Ray is the nicest, most low key dude and yeah also 90 years old!@offbeatorbit God I just read the news item this is awful. Ray is the nicest, most low key dude and yeah also 90 years old!awrealya, m.a.@BlkMissFrizzleWHO HIT RAY FROM RAY’S CANDY STORE IN THE HEAD?!!????? He is NINETY YEARS OLD OMG161WHO HIT RAY FROM RAY’S CANDY STORE IN THE HEAD?!!????? He is NINETY YEARS OLD OMGAdam Nelson@workhouseprWishing the world to Ray Alvarez, the 90 year old owner of Ray’s Candy Store who was brutally beaten but came back to sling egg creams without missing a beat. New York tough don’t quit. @RaysCandyStore4Wishing the world to Ray Alvarez, the 90 year old owner of Ray’s Candy Store who was brutally beaten but came back to sling egg creams without missing a beat. New York tough don’t quit. @RaysCandyStore https://t.co/K7asD1EwCjClowchan@clowchanI'm so sad. The guy who owns Ray's candy store was brutally attacked I'm so sad. The guy who owns Ray's candy store was brutally attacked 😡😡😡😡“There is a lot of crime because there is not enough police”: Ray Alvarez speaks after the incident After the incident, the Ray's Candy's owner quickly resumed going back to his candy shop, but he did talk about how he felt that it all happened due to the negligence of the patrolling officers. He mentioned how it would have never happened if there were more cops around the neighborhood. Ray said:“There is a lot of crime because there is not enough police. We used to have police on foot patrol, walking up and down. No more.”Ray also addressed the incident and talked about how the man walked up to him and threatened to kill him. Talking about how he couldn’t believe what happened to him, he said:“I went down, bleeding, I thought I’m never going to make it. He hit me in a very bad spot. I just want to lay down.”milly@khruangbinsRays candy store is the best I love their beignets and he makes the best milkshakes 🥲 I hope he’s okayRays candy store is the best I love their beignets and he makes the best milkshakes 🥲 I hope he’s okayRay's Candy sells fries, shakes, soft serves, hot dogs, egg creams, and much more. The store has been around since 1974 and is extremely popular amongst the people in New York.