Shocking moment a hooded thug unleashes a frenzied attack on a 67-year-old veteran in a New York elevator

  • The incident happened at apartment building in the Belmont area of The Bronx
  • The hooded suspect repeatedly punched the 67-year-old victim Ray in the face
  • Victim was taken to James J. Peters VA Medical Center with cuts and bruises 
  • The 67-year-old is a veteran living with his elderly mother in the apartment block

By Dave Rudge For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

This is the terrifying moment a thug launches a frenzied and unprovoked assault on an elderly veteran in an elevator in New York. 

The hooded suspect repeatedly punched the 67-year-old victim named Ray in the face after cornering him at an apartment building in the Belmont area of The Bronx, New York. 

The shaken victim, who had his arm in a cast at the time of the attack, was taken to James J. Peters VA Medical Center with cuts and bruises and claims he has been left traumatised by the senseless attack.

The thug launches a frenzied and unprovoked assault on the elderly veteran in an elevator in New York

The thug launches a frenzied and unprovoked assault on the elderly veteran in an elevator in New York

As the victim staggers backwards, the suspect pummels him repeatedly in the face until he falls to the ground

As the victim staggers backwards, the suspect pummels him repeatedly in the face until he falls to the ground

The NYPD said a motive is not yet known and is appealing for the public's help to identify the fugitive.

In an interview with CBS New York, Ray said: 'I have a messed up arm, and I couldn't fight back. He got his way. Everything he threw, he threw at my face, and I couldn't throw back.

'This building is not safe…nobody's doing nothing.'

The victim, named Ray, (pictured) had his arm in a cast at the time of the attack

The victim, named Ray, (pictured) had his arm in a cast at the time of the attack

Chilling surveillance footage shows the suspect - wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt - walking towards the elevator and pressing the button to open the door.

He hovers near the entrance and checks to see that the unsuspecting victim is following him inside before entering. 

He even appears to ask the victim what floor he wants before pushing a button and the pair ride together to an unknown floor.

When the door opens and the victim begins to leave, the thug suddenly hits him with a vicious sucker punch to the jaw.

As he staggers backwards, the suspect pummels him repeatedly in the face until he falls to the ground. 

The NYPD said a motive is not yet known and is appealing for the public's help to identify the fugitive

The NYPD said a motive is not yet known and is appealing for the public's help to identify the fugitive

The man appears to ask the victim what floor he wants before pushing a button and the pair ride together to an unknown floor

The man appears to ask the victim what floor he wants before pushing a button and the pair ride together to an unknown floor

After the attack, - which happened at around 11pm on Friday - the suspect wipes his fingerprints from the elevator door with his sleeve and then flees.

The victim - who did not want to be identified - told NBC New York he is a veteran living with his elderly mother in the apartment building. He claims they are both afraid to leave their home following the attack.

Others who live in the block have now spoken out about the violence, saying they are worried about living there. 

Resident Jose Maita said: 'I let them (my loved ones) know every single day – when they go down this elevator, outside in general, just be careful, take caution, because anything can happen at any time.'

Viewers on social media were outraged by the footage. Bryante Mcinnis said: 'Turn yourself in or hide out under a rock for the rest of your life.' 

Nancy Suarez wrote: 'He will get what's coming to him.' Fred Watkins added: 'I guess NYC ain't no great place to retire.' 

Police describe the suspect as light skinned with a beard. He was wearing a black du-rag, gray hoodie, blue jeans and black fur-lined boots at the time of the attack.

Cops say he took off in a dark minivan.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.

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