SHEEPSHEAD BAY — Following an assault on two males, 17 and 18, in Manhattan Beach Park last month, a press conference was held by Assemblymember Michael Novakhov on July 8 to provide an update and announce a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers.
Police said on June 23, the two males were walking through the park on Oriental Boulevard and Mackenzie Street at 9:20 p.m. when a group of males approached them and got into an argument. They then kicked and punched the two victims and fled.
The 17-year-old boy was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he remained in stable condition. Novakhov said the teen, named Valentyn, has no vision in one of his eyes following the attack. The other victim refused medical attention.
“I’m speaking to the Ukrainian community right now — Valentyn was Ukrainian — and to the Uzbek community because Valentyn said those teens were Uzbek and to the Sheepshead Bay community,” Novakhov said. “If you heard something, if you saw something, please report. We need to find them.”
Assemblymember Michael Novakhov led a conference in Manhattan Beach Park following an assault that left one teenager injured. Photo: Brooklyn Conservative Party
The reward is now $13,000. State Sen. Steve Chan also pledged another $1,000 from his own pocket.
“If you’re watching this and if you know who did this, out of your own conscience, out of your own morals, you should be telling us who they are. You don’t have to tell us who you are,” Chan added.
“I hope, for the sake of Valentyn, for the sake of this community and for the sake of our great state, that we will find these attackers, that they will be held accountable and that they will face justice,” said Republican New York State Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy.
“Somebody knows something,” said Steve Barrison of the Bay Improvement Group. “One of those nine, one of their friends, one of their family members heard about it. Their brother, their sister, their parents — somebody knows, and you can step up. If you’re afraid, you can give tips anonymously to the police department. This is America. You do not have to be afraid to come forward and keep your identity private.”
Assemblymember Michael Novakhov led a conference in Manhattan Beach Park following an assault that left one teenager injured. Photo: Brooklyn Conservative Party
State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton also provided a statement on the assault.
“The act of senseless violence that took place last week, which left a 17-year-old beaten with no eyesight in one eye and mentally traumatized, has no place in Manhattan Beach, in Brooklyn or anywhere in our city,” she said.
“The victim, a teenage immigrant, came to America for an escape from war and violence, yet he was brutalized in his new home while simply trying to enjoy our public spaces with his friends. Our public parks should be a safe space for people of all ages to enjoy without the threat of violence.”