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Disturbing Video Shows Man Throwing Lit Firework At Man Sleeping On The Street
By
Sydney Pereira
Published Jun 23, 2020
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Released by the NYPD
By
Sydney Pereira
Published Jun 23, 2020
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The NYPD is investigating a video showing a man throwing a lit firework at someone sleeping on the street on Monday morning in Harlem.
Police believe the man who was attacked was homeless.
"Earlier yesterday morning, a homeless male was sleeping on the sidewalk in front of 67 Lenox Avenue, in the confines of the 28 pct, when he was attacked," NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said in a tweet on Tuesday.
"The male pictured above threw a lit firework on him, which exploded causing burns to the victims back," Harrison said.
The 14-second video released by police shows a man tossing a lit firework at the 66-year-old man on Lenox Avenue between West 113th and 114th Streets.
Witnesses scream, "Oh!" and one person is heard laughing as the firework-tosser flees and others film the incident.
NYPD spokesperson Annette Shelton said the 66-year-old man suffered minor burns and medical personnel took him to Saint Luke's hospital, recently renamed Mount Sinai Morningside, in stable condition about 4 a.m. Monday.
The video was first posted on social media. Now, the 28th Precinct Detective Squad is investigating the incident.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no arrests were made.
Complaints about illegal fireworks usage has skyrocketed citywide this month. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that a task force with the NYPD, FDNY, and the Sheriff's Bureau would crackdown on suppliers, targeting those profiting the most, some from out-of-state, beginning Tuesday evening. The mayor said Tuesday he wants community-based organizations involved with education efforts as well, since the task force is aimed at investigations and to "disrupt supply chains."
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nypd
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Sydney Pereira
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