Police have increased patrols around a Queens park after investigators said a man was beaten to death with a wooded plank.
A 53-year-old man suffered major head wounds after being several beaten by a suspect carrying a two-by-four, law enforcement sources said. He died at a nearby hospital
Police said the beating happened in Rufus King Park around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Investigators are still searching for the suspect, who they believe grabbed the wooden plank from debris in the park.
“This is a park I go to all the time,” said Ami Mulbah. “It’s usually super safe. I’m actually quite shocked that there was a homicide.”
Gabriela Soto walks through the park before and after work every day and said earlier this summer she flagged down police after seeing a woman carrying a large wooden two-by-four threatening people. It’s not clear if there is any link to Tuesday’s killing.
”There’s this woman around here that was walking around with a big piece of wood. Not like a tree, not like a stick,” Soto said. “She was trying to just get someone.”
Several neighbors who frequent the park said its a great place to visit, though some said there are people you come by to drink and get high.
Law enforcement sources said the man they’re looking for was wearing white pants and a blue shirt.