A 42-year-old man was left with a deep cut on the left side of his face after a violent pre-dawn attack on Astoria’s 30th Avenue, police say. The assault mixed repeated punches with a slashing wound and unfolded while the block was largely quiet, according to investigators. Detectives have released still images of two people they want to identify and are urging nearby residents and shop owners to comb through security footage for clues.
What investigators say
The NYPD says the assault happened at about 2:45 a.m. on March 13 in front of 36-08 30 Avenue. One person allegedly punched the victim several times while another showed a sharp object and slashed the left side of his face. The wounded man was taken by private means to BronxCare Health System, where he was listed in stable condition, according to FOX 5 New York.
How to help
Authorities are asking anyone with video, photos or other information to contact Crime Stoppers. Tips can be shared anonymously by phone, text or online. The NYPD’s Crime Stoppers program offers an English tip line, a Spanish line, an online portal and a mobile app for submissions. As outlined by NYPD Crime Stoppers, callers can reach the main tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS, and Spanish speakers can call 1-888-57-PISTA.
Suspect descriptions
Police described both suspects as males with dark complexions. One was last seen in a black sweater, black pants and black sneakers. The other wore a black jacket. Investigators say the pair ran off in opposite directions along 30th Avenue, then got into a dark-colored suburban vehicle and left the area. Images of the two were released to the public to help the investigation, according to FOX 5 New York.
Local context
The Astoria attack is the latest in a series of early-morning slashing incidents reported across Queens this season, prompting repeated calls for residents and merchants to preserve surveillance footage. Hoodline earlier covered a similar pre-dawn slashing inside a Corona storefront, where detectives also urged nearby businesses to pull camera recordings for leads. For more background, see the pre-dawn neck slashing in Corona.
No arrests have been announced and investigators have not released a possible motive. Anyone with information about the Astoria assault is asked to call Crime Stoppers or submit a tip through the department’s online portal or on X at @NYPDTips.
