Video: Man accused of brutally punching victim in face on Bronx street
Suspect arrested in unprovoked Bronx sucker-punch
The NYPD says they have arrested 55-year-old Bui Van Phu, the man allegedly seen in a brutal, shocking attack in the Bronx last week. Video allegedly shows Phu approach a man from behind before suddenly punching the victim in the side of the face, knocking the victim to the ground.
NEW YORK - A few hours after the NYPD released disturbing video showing a brutal and unprovoked attack on a street in the Bronx last week, detectives arrested a suspect.
Authorities charged Bui Van Phu, 55, with attempted murder in connection with an attack that happened in front of Fuego Tipico Restaurant at 163 E. 188th St. in Fordham Heights at about 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.
The security camera video shows a man wearing gloves approach another man from behind and then throw a swinging punch, striking him on the right side of his face. The video shows the victim collapse to the sidewalk and not move.
"[T]he victim exited the restaurant, stop and observed several individuals talking, at which time an unidentified individual exited the restaurant put on a pair of gloves and positioned himself behind the victim," New York City police described the attack in a news release. "Without prior conversation or altercation, the individual punched the victim in the face before returning back into the restaurant and later to parts unknown."
Police officers responded to the scene and found the 52-year-old victim unconscious and unresponsive. EMS brought him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where medical staff treated him for a skull fracture, a broken cheekbone, and brain bleeding. The victim is in critical but stable condition.
Investigators said the suspect and victim were inside the restaurant at one point before stepping out. The two men didn't speak to each other prior to the attack, detectives said.
This latest incident comes as NYPD stats show that felony assaults are up by 23% in the Bronx compared to this same time last year.
The latest attack played out just across the street from where Juana Esperanza Soriano De-Perdomo, a 61-year-old grandmother, was shot and killed in April.
Those living in the area nearby say they're tired of the violence.