NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 22-year-old man was indicted for brutally attacking a teen boy with a broomstick in Times Square last month, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. announced Tuesday.
Michael Colome was charged with gang assault, criminal possession of a weapon and assault.
According to court documents, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, a group of over 10 people were involved in an ongoing dispute with a 17-year-old boy near West 42nd Street and 7th Avenue when they began attacking him.
As the group repeatedly kicked, punched and stomped the teenage boy’s body and head, Colome approached wearing a face mask and carrying a wooden broomstick which he then used to hit the teenage boy multiple times, prosecutors said.
When the teenage boy tried to flee, Colome and the rest of the group chased him down the street until a second group of more than 10 people blocked him and joined in the attack.
When Colome caught up to the teenage boy, he continued hitting him with the broomstick, which eventually broke in half as Colome was hitting his back. Colome then repeatedly punched the teenage boy.
During the attacks, another person allegedly stabbed the teen in the back with a knife, causing serious injuries, including to his lung.
Officials arrested Colome at the scene in possession of half of a roomstick and a kitchen knife.
"As alleged, Michael Colome brutally attacked a teenage boy on a busy Times Square street," said District Attorney Bragg. "We allege that he hit the boy so hard with a broomstick that it eventually broke in half from the repeated strikes. My thoughts are with the victim as he continues to recover from his injuries, and I wish him a speedy recovery."