NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A 20-year-old woman from Ireland visiting New York City spoke out Friday about the brutal brick attack she suffered last weekend in the Bronx.

An unidentified assailant walked up and smashed Alisha Jordan in the face without warning. She is so afraid that she didn’t even want her face to be shown on T.V.

“Its completely ruined me. I used to be completely independent,” Jordan told CBS 2’s Lou Young in an exclusive interview.

Jordan nervously folded her hands as she spoke about the attack that changed her life and split the front of her skull. Last week, she was young, strong and self-assured, but now, Jordan is facing reconstructive facial surgery.

She gave Young a first-hand description of her assailant, who struck without warning.

“He was a tall, skinny, black male. Almost skinned hair to no hair and a small bit of facial hair — kinda was muttering to himself. You know, like there was something wrong with him,” Jordan said.

Jordan said NYPD detectives have been helpful, trying to work up a sketch based on her description and putting a rush on the DNA samples taken from the t-shirt her friend ripped off the assailant during the struggle.

Jordan came to the United States to play Gaelic football in a local woman’s league and to enjoy a summer of sport and fun, but now she is devastated.

“It’s taken away my confidence. I can’t even go outside. I’m absolutely terrified to even step outside the door,” she said.

Jordan is now most worried about the young people who will be coming and going from the pubs along Katonah Avenue this weekend and those who are perhaps oblivious to the danger.

“I’d never seen him before that night. Just telling people to be really, really careful out there at least until we catch somebody,” said Jordan.

For the time being, Jordan’s friends said they will not walk the streets in the area after dark.

Jordan said she has been contacted by another Irish visitor who was injured in a similar attack last summer. She said it’ll help knowing she can get through this.

Police have found no connection between the two assaults.