Police are hunting a young attacker who slashed a fellow soccer player in the head during a park argument in the Bronx.
The violence erupted around 7:35 p.m. On July 13 near Trinity Avenue and East 147th Street in Mott Haven, where two men had been playing soccer in St. Mary’s Park, the NYPD said. What began as a verbal disagreement escalated dramatically when one player flew into a rage and pulled a blade.
The assailant cut his rival in the head and immediately fled, according to police. Emergency responders rushed the wounded man to NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was listed in stable condition. Investigators noted that the victim did not know his attacker’s name.
Authorities released surveillance footage of the suspect Sunday afternoon, hoping the public could help identify him. The video shows him running from the area after the assault.
Police described the wanted man as between 18 and 22 years old with a medium complexion, long black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange shirt, brown shorts and gold shoes.
The NYPD is urging anyone with information to contact its Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. Spanish-speaking tipsters can call 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website.
The attack has left regular park-goers shaken in a neighborhood where pickup soccer games are a weekend staple. St. Mary’s Park, one of the largest green spaces in the South Bronx, draws hundreds of players and families daily during summer evenings.
No arrests had been made as of Sunday evening, and police did not specify what weapon was used in the slashing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).