Search Continues For Man Accused Of Punching 71-Year-Old In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A Bronx man was savagely beaten in front of his apartment back in February.
Now police have released pictures of the suspect they say is responsible, and they want your help bringing him in.
More than a month has passed since a 71-year-old man was attacked in the Bronx.
The assault happened around 12:15 a.m. February 28 on Evergreen Avenue in the Soundview section.
Police said the suspect approached the victim and punched him several times in the face.
"Two guys assaulted him, beat him all in his mouth, and he's eating baby food now," said Rosalie Parris, the victim's wife. She says her husband Gregory was on his way to visit her at Einstein Medical Center, where she was being treated for the flu back on Feb. 28.
The disabled Vietnam veteran had called a taxi to take him there just after midnight.
Gregory Parris was waiting for that taxi in front of the Evergreen Gardens building, but he stepped off the sidewalk into the street to assist a driver looking for the identical building across the way, and that's when he was attacked.
"They robbed him and he fell on the ground," Rosalie said.
She says two men punched him in the face repeatedly, took the cash from his pockets and took off down Evergreen Avenue. Police say one of the suspects ran into the building, where he was captured on surveillance video.
Minutes later, Anton Walker had just hopped out of his Uber when he saw Gregory Parris lying in the street.
"I thought he fell. I asked him if he needed help, and when I got to the guy, there was blood all in his mouth, and he was confused and delirious," Walker told CBS2's Tara Jakeway.
Walker called for an ambulance, and Parris was taken to the hospital in serious condition. He's recovering now but still not home. His jaw is badly damaged.
"I hope you get better, man, that you feel better. We're here for you, the community is praying for you," Walker said.
Now they're on the lookout for the suspect.
Meanwhile, Rosalie Parris says the robbery has taken much more than just cash from them.
"Emotionally, he's very depressed, of course," she said.
"How are you doing?" Jakeway asked.
"I'm frightened to death about all things, all around," she said.
Rosalie Parris says she wants better lighting and more security at the building where they've lived since their wedding day.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.
