NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 70-year-old man was repeatedly punched Sunday morning while walking to a Sikh temple and cultural center in Queens, police said.
The victim was punched in the nose, face and other areas by another man around 7:30 a.m. at 95th Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in South Richmond Hill.
Police said the suspect made no statements before, during or after the assault.
The victim was attacked as he walked to the Sikh Cultural Society - Richmond Hill Gurdwara.Google Street View
The victim was taken by private means to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was treated for lacerations, pain and swelling, according to police. He reportedly suffered a broken nose.
The victim was on his way to the Gurdwara Sikh Temple Society, where he's reportedly been staying since arriving in the U.S. two weeks ago from Canada.
Police said an investigation is ongoing and the attack hasn't yet been classified as a hate crime.
Disturbed by the news of attack on a 70-year-old Sikh man, Nirmal Singh, in Queens which resulted in his broken nose & severe bruising. I urge @USAndIndia to ensure justice to the elderly Sikh in this incident. pic.twitter.com/ZtGqvLukq0
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) April 4, 2022
City Human Rights commissioner Gurdev Singh Kang told WCBS-TV that he believes the attack was a hate crime.
"Yes. It's not the first incident happened this in this area. It happened before, too," Kang said.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, a politician in India, tweeted photos of the victim and urged the U.S. Embassy in India to "ensure justice" in the case.
