Police said they determined Emily Rand was the aggressor in the altercation. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Police will not file charges against the man who punched a 19-year-old woman in the face outside a party near Rutgers in an incident that has left her hospitalized for more than a week.
Emily Rand, 19, of South Amboy suffered a fractured skull after being punched by a man in New Brunswick last weekend. (Courtesy of Debbie O'Connor)New Brunswick police Capt. J.T. Miller said Wednesday that police have determined Emily Rand was the aggressor in the incident that left her with a fractured skull after she was knocked to the ground by the punch.
Miller said police identified the man seen punching Rand in a video posted on social media.
"He hasn't been hiding, we know who he is," Miller said.
Rand's uncle, Bob O'Connor, told NJ Advance Media Wednesday afternoon that they were not aware of the department's decision to not file charges.
O'Connor said police have told Rand's family members that the incident was still under investigation.
"They've said they have to speak with Emily before filing charges," he said. "They need her side."
Rand, a Middlesex County College student from South Amboy, remains hospitalized, but she is able to breathe on her own and will begin physical therapy soon, her aunt, Debbie O'Connor, wrote on Facebook.
However, on Wednesday, Rand still remained heavily medicated and hasn't been awake for more than a few minutes, her family said. Rand underwent surgery to relieve bleeding in the brain.
When asked about filing a civil complaint or pressing charges, O'Connor said, "We've been focused on Emily and haven't discussed legal options."
Rutgers police said in a crime alert that shortly after 1 a.m. on Oct. 30 a victim was "struck in the face during a physical altercation and fell to the ground resulting in the transport to a local hospital."
Police said the incident happened in the area of Robinson and Hamilton streets.
A cell phone video of the incident shows Rand take a swing at a man. The man responded with a punch that connected, causing Rand to drop to the ground immediately. The video then shows the man leave in the opposite direction and pans over to an unconscious Rand.
In the time since the incident, O'Connor has created a Facebook page, Friends of Emily Rand, to provide friends and family with updates on her condition. She said it's also a place for people to leave encouraging messages for Rand.
A Gofundme page was also started by her uncle, Bob O'Connor, to help out with medical bills. The page has raised more than $1,900 in two days. A fundraiser for Rand will also be held Dec. 3 at the RTB bar in South Amboy.
NJ Advance Media reporter Craig McCarthy contributed to this report.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.