Police have released a photo of a man accused of attacking a 17-year-old after a Knicks game in an assault that left the teen in a coma.
The New York Police Department shared a photo of the suspect in an X post Friday and urged the public to come forward if they recognized him.
The unidentified man is wanted for gang assault after allegedly punching and kicking the teen victim on West 35th Street near Madison Square Garden after Wednesday night’s game, the NYPD said.
The victim had a seizure and was left in a coma, according to police. The department didn’t elaborate on his condition further.
“I have no words for him,” the victim’s mother, Shiomara Arce, told The New York Post. “Right now my son comes first. This person needs to pay for what he’s done.”
She described the victim, Johnny Aumuller, as a Knicks fan who is “always playing basketball in the neighborhood.”
He was no longer in a coma as of Friday but was still listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital, The Post reported.
The search for the suspect comes as the Knicks seek their first NBA championship in 53 years. They took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 107-106 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Police arrested at least 15 people after that game, and videos on social media appeared to show fans throwing eggs at Spurs star Victor Wembanyama as he entered his team’s hotel.
“Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game,” the NYPD wrote in a statement Thursday. “This demonstrates exactly why the NYPD has increased our presence in and around Madison Square Garden.”
Game 5 is Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas. If necessary, Game 6 will be at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
Despite the team’s absence from Madison Square Garden Saturday, thousands of Knicks fans are expected to descend on the area surrounding the Manhattan arena.
The team has organized an official watch party for up to 3,000 supporters outside MSG, requiring advanced registration and police screening. Additional viewing events are planned for Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink in Central Park, catering to the overwhelming demand.
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