Living in a large city can have its advantages. There’s always something fun to do, there is a vast variety of restaurants and bars, you’ll find more diverse cultural experiences, and job opportunities are often better in more populated areas. However, there are disadvantages as well. Sadly, one Columbus, Ohio woman is dealing with one of the cons of living in one of the state’s biggest cities.
Unfortunately for the woman named Becky, a routine walk down the city’s highly traveled High Street turned into something vulgar. The Ohio resident took to her TikTok account @rebjansmi to share the story as she sobbed. Becky says that she was taking a simple walk when a black compact vehicle pulled up next to her and began shouting at her.
Ohio Woman Sprayed With Unknown Liquid While Out For A Walk
To make matters much worse, people in the vehicle also “sprayed” a liquid out of the window and onto Becky’s body. She was in total shock and upset following the encounter. “I’m upset. If you’re in Columbus, Ohio and you just sprayed something out your window and yelled at me on High Street, I’m just like going for a walk. So disgusting. So scary,” she said in the video.
“I don’t know what it is. I assume it’s water, I hope it’s water,” Becky continued, clearly shaken by the event. In the comment section, viewers offered supportive words. “Go to the ER to make sure it’s not a toxic substance,” one person stated. “Call the police,” another suggested.
An Emergency Room Doctor Offered Advice
“I’m so sorry this happened, people are getting so hateful,” a third person chimed in. “Your reaction is completely valid,” another comment read.
A person who identified themselves as an emergency room doctor even spoke out in the comments and gave his expert opinion about what Becky should do. “I am so sorry. ER doc- go home – take EVERYTHING off in your garage, get in the shower and let it run on you for as long as you can. Absolutely file a police report and they can get CCTV to find those f—ers. Let the police bag your clothes as evidence, so strip down outside and leave them in a pile. If you have any weird symptoms, go to the hospital,” the doctor advised.
After Becky’s video blew up, receiving more than 368K views, the Ohio woman revealed that she was “overwhelmed” by the “kindness” that people on the social media platform have shown her.
What Happened When She Went To The Police?
Following the incident, she revealed that she hopes there are cameras that caught the incident. Sadly, Becky claimed that when she went to the Columbus police, they weren’t as helpful as she had hoped. “Update: called Columbus PD and they essentially said, ‘What do you want us to do about it?’ So that’s that, stay safe out there!” she wrote.
According to Ohio.gov, throwing liquid on someone can be prosecuted as an assault in the state, if it causes, or was attempted to cause, physical harm. However, minor splashes can sometimes be treated as a lesser charge such as disorderly conduct or harassment.
Meanwhile, if the liquid is a bodily substance such as blood or urine, Ohio revised code 2921.38 classifies that as a possible felony.
Attacks With Unknown Liquids Can Be Dangerous
Encounters like these can prove to be very dangerous. While Becky believes the substance thrown on her was just water, others have not been so lucky. In September 2026, a New York man suffered burns to his face after someone attacked him with an unknown liquid, per NBC.
Back in June, a Colorado man was arrested for throwing an unknown substance at police officers, which caused minor injury, KKTV reports.
What Should You Do If An Unknown Liquid Gets On Your Skin?
If a person comes in contact with an unknown liquid they believe could possibly be dangerous, there are a few steps they should take. According to UC Health, moving away from the substance and getting fresh air is the first step.
Then the person should take off their clothing, and may want to consider cutting it off if they’re worried about it touching their face. Keep the clothes in a plastic, sealed bag.
Finally, rinsing of the skin and flushing the eyes are recommended with room temperature water for at least 15 minutes. It is suggested that the person call 911 or seek medical care if they have severe symptoms like trouble breathing, burns, itching, etc.
What should have been a routine walk for Becky left her shaken and confused. She may never know why the stranger targeted her, but she says she’s going to stay vigilant.
Noticed News has reached out to the Columbus, Ohio police via email for comment.
