Suspect (NYPD) and Nirmal Singh, 70, after he was punched in an unprovoked attack Sunday (Photo @JapneetSingh4NY)
April 6, 2022 By Czarinna Andres
The NYPD has released photos and video of a man wanted for allegedly attacking a 70-year-old Sikh man in Richmond Hill Sunday in what cops believe was a hate crime.
The suspect is wanted for punching Nirmal Singh, a visitor from India, in the face while the victim was walking in the vicinity of Lefferts Boulevard and 95th Avenue in traditional Sikh clothing at around 6:45 a.m.
The man allegedly punched Singh without provocation, according to police, without a word being uttered. Singh’s nose was broken and face bruised—and he was taken to Jamaica Hospital where he was treated and released.
The investigation is being conducted by the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force.
The suspect is described as being black, with an average build. He was last seen wearing black sneakers, jeans and a blue hooded sweatshirt.
The attack was condemned by both elected leaders and members of the south Asian community.
“The attack on the 70-year-old Sikh man in Richmond Hill over the weekend was a despicable display of hatred and cowardice,” said State Sen. Joseph Addabbo.
Meanwhile, Harpreet Toor, a Sikh Indian who unsuccessfully ran for City Council in the 23rd District last year, expressed outrage following the attack.
“This is happening far too often in New York City,” Toor said.
He said the South Asian community needs to be protected.
“We don’t want lip service; we want to see something concrete.”
Anyone with information in regard to the attack— or is able to identity the suspect—is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.
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