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Girl's Condition Reported As Stable 5 Days After Brick Attack In Astoria

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A teenage girl's condition was reported as stable Sunday, after she was attacked with a brick in a Queens alleyway.

The girl's condition was reported as stable Sunday at Elmhurst Hospital Center. A more detailed description of her condition – ranging from good to critical – was not released.

Police sources have identified her as Michelle Rodrigez of Astoria.

Omer Khogali, of the East Elmhurst section of Queens, was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the Tuesday attack.

Authorities said the vicious attack happened in a residential alley off of 43rd Street in Astoria, leaving neighbors in the community on alert.

Police said Khogali bludgeoned the 16-year-old girl with a brick, then walked back into the range of a surveillance video captured at the scene, where he's seen dropping an object that police say was the brick he used in the attack.

He then takes off.

Authorities say the alleged victim may have voluntarily gone into the alley with the suspect.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-22nd), who represents the district, said the victim's choice to go into the alley is no excuse for the brutal assault.

"This is a vicious attack – whether they knew each other or didn't know each other," Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. told CBS 2's John Slattery. "Really no excuse for this. This guy is an animal. And luckily we have this videotape."

The victim was initially reported in critical condition.

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(TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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