The New York City Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a violent street altercation that occurred earlier this week in Manhattan's East Village. The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, shows a man on a skateboard engaging in a physical fight with a motorist, ultimately placing the driver in a chokehold.
Authorities reported that the confrontation took place on Tuesday around 3:50 p.m. near St. Marks Place and Second Avenue. According to police and a freelance photographer who recorded the incident, the dispute began when the skateboarder accused the motorist of nearly hitting him with his Mercedes SUV.
The video footage shows the skateboarder using his board to strike the vehicle's front windshield before the driver exited the car. The motorist then retrieved the skateboard and used it to hit the attacker. The situation escalated further when the skateboarder allegedly used the board to strike the driver's head before subduing him with a chokehold.
During the altercation, the motorist lost consciousness and was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. The suspect fled the scene before law enforcement and emergency medical services arrived. NYPD investigators released a still image from the video on Friday, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the suspect's identification and apprehension.