Stamford Man Brutally Beaten, Stabbed To Death In Random Attack

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Stamford man was beaten and stabbed to death Wednesday night in what police are calling a random attack.

This is also the city's first homicide of the year.

At around 8:17 p.m., Stamford EMS was responding to an incident downtown when they saw a man collapse at the corner of Broad Street and Bedford Street, police said.

They started to treat the man and noticed he had been stabbed in the chest. He was taken to Stamford Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

He died several hours after surgery.

The victim was identified as Antonio Muralles, 52. An autopsy will be performed Thursday to determine the exact cause of death.

According to police, a group of three to five men and women began to beat Muralles with a stick in front of McDonald's at 25 Bedford Street.

One of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed Muralles several times in the arms and torso, police said. The group took off running in different directions.

The area was well-lit and very busy at the time. Police believe there were several people who witnessed the stabbing. There is also surveillance video.

Police are asking anyone who has information or witnessed the brutal attack to please call the Stamford Police Detective Bureau at 203-944-4417.

All calls will be kept confidential.