Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
MANHATTAN, N.Y (PIX11) – Chants of “I’m gonna kill you f------" rang out after a man was punched in the face near a troubled homeless shelter in Manhattan, according to the victim and police.
Manhattan residents Tyler and Andre were walking near the former Skyline Hotel near 49th Street and Tenth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen when a young boy came darting out and almost running into Tyler at around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 18, according to the men.
After the incident, Andre said a homeless man came running after them screaming, “You don't touch my kid. I’m gonna kill you f------.”
The suspect first tried to hit Tyler in the back of the head before punching Andre in the face, sending him to the ground. The victim suffered a 1.5-centimeter cut under the right eye that needed four stitches, according to the victim and police.
Tyler then threatened to call the police before the man ran off, he said.
The men then heard several people on the block assumed to be associated with the hotel encampment, including a couple with a stroller, begin chanting the same homophobic slur, they said.
“Like, why?” Andre said.
Police could not confirm the suspect was a resident of the homeless shelter or if the incident was being investigated as a hate crime. There have been no arrests, as of Monday.
The incident shook the area residents after observing the constant chaos near the hotel since the pandemic. The men said cops are constantly called to the shelter for various incidents, and some officers are stationed by the former hotel.
“We are on edge,” Andre said. "The worst fear is something is going to happen."
The NYPD did not respond to a PIX11 News inquiry about the number of complaints or 911 calls made to the homeless shelter.
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