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Nut convicted of sucker-punching TikTok influencer, berating Jewish couple in NYC hate crimes
Skiboky Stora found guilty of assault, stalking, and harassment as hate crimes after a four-week trial in Manhattan
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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An unhinged anti-white and anti-Jewish bigot named Skiboky Stora was convicted on hate-crimes charges in Manhattan for assaulting a TikTok influencer and berating a Jewish couple in separate incidents. Stora, who has run long-shot races for NYC mayor, was found guilty of assault, stalking, and aggravated harassment as hate crimes after a four-week trial. He now faces up to three years in jail and will be sentenced on April 14.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing issue of hate crimes and bias-motivated attacks in New York City, particularly those targeting minority groups and women. It also raises questions about the mental health and motivations of repeat offenders who engage in such behavior.
The details
Prosecutors said Stora, who wore a tie with his own name on it in court, assaulted, stalked, and harassed strangers on the streets of Manhattan in a series of hate crimes targeting white people, Jewish people, and women. Evidence included video of Stora punching TikTok influencer Halley McGookin in the face and verbally attacking a white Jewish couple, yelling "You're going to die - Die Jew Die!" Stora, who acted as his own lawyer, put up a rambling, nonsensical defense, claiming the perpetrator couldn't have been him because the attacker had hair unlike his shaved head.
- On March 25, 2024, Stora allegedly punched TikTok influencer Halley McGookin in the face.
- In November 2023, Stora allegedly verbally attacked a white Jewish couple inside a 16th Street building.
The players
Skiboky Stora
A man who has run long-shot races for NYC mayor and claimed to be the 'great great grandson of Marcus Garvey'. He was convicted of assault, stalking, and aggravated harassment as hate crimes.
Halley McGookin
A TikTok influencer with over 1.6 million followers who testified about being punched in the face by Stora while on her way to record a podcast.
What they’re saying
“I never did anything racist to anybody, and I never did anything discriminating against anybody, and I never tried to injure anybody.”
— Skiboky Stora, Defendant (New York Post)
“The defendant didn't select the victims in this case because they were in his way or because they bumped into him. The defendant selected his victims because they were white, fair skinned — because they were women and because they were Jewish.”
— Edward Smith, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney (New York Post)
“I was so rattled after being slugged that I immediately apologized to my attacker because he was screaming at me, using a lot of profanity, saying it was my fault.”
— Halley McGookin, TikTok Influencer (New York Post)
What’s next
The judge will decide on April 14 whether to sentence Skiboky Stora to up to three years in jail for his hate crime convictions.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing problem of hate crimes and bias-motivated attacks in New York City, particularly those targeting minority groups and women. It raises concerns about the mental health and motivations of repeat offenders who engage in such behavior, and the need for stronger measures to address this issue in the community.
