NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Police released a sketch Wednesday as the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force hunts for a man accused of targeting and beating a 12-year-old boy with a belt on the Lower East Side.
The incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, in front of 68 Baruch Drive, police said.
According to officials, an unidentified man approached the boy and initiated a verbal dispute. During the confrontation, the suspect began shouting anti-LGBTQIA+ statements before striking the child with a belt.
The attacker then fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault.
The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, estimated to be between 45 and 50 years old. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the suspect is urged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
