Critical but stablecondition
A white Valley Stream man remained in critical condition Monday afterpolice said he was beaten by a group of young African-Americanassailants in what authorities are investigating as a possible hatecrime.
The 30-year-old victim, a Long Island Rail Road worker, was not identified by police, who said the attack was unprovoked.
Thevictim was repeatedly punched and kicked in the face, head and body atabout 12:30 a.m. Sunday by a group of about 12 to 15 male and femaleassailants, said Nassau police Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone. The man hadgone outside to move his car off the street during a July Fourth partywhen he was attacked, Repalone said.He sustained a concussion and fractured eye socket, Repalone said. “There is no motive at this time,” Repalone said Monday.
Investigators are looking to see whether the assault was motivated by race, he said.
“Awitness heard someone in the crowd make a comment that the police willfollow up to determine whether or not this attack was raciallymotivated,” Repalone said. “It’s too early at this time to make thatdetermination.”
Repalone would not describe what was said that could lead police to determine that the man was beaten because of his race.
Monday,a woman, who did not want to be identified but said the victim was herbrother, said he has multiple fractures in his face and jaw.
She said a fight in the group of teenagers had started before her brother went to move his car.
“They were having a conflict,” she said. “I assume maybe they thought he was getting involved.”
The mother’s 911 call was picked up by New York City emergency services and redirected to Nassau County, Repalone said. The call was disconnected and the Nassau operator called back, Repalone said, but was unable to reach anyone.
Theman did not seek medical treatment, and his family did not call policeagain until more than 13 hours after the attack, Repalone said. Policesaid the man and his family may have underestimated the extent of hisinjuries. He was eventually taken to South Nassau Communities Hospitalin Oceanside, where police said he remained in critical but stablecondition Monday.
He parked his car in the driveway and that’s when the teenagers approached him, police said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.