Assemblyman Michael Novakhov and Attorney General Candidate Saritha Komatireddy Announced Reward in Manhattan Beach Assault Case
Community leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement reaffirmed their commitment to bringing those responsible for the brutal attack on a Ukrainian teenager to justice
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (By Manzoor Hussain) — New York State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov and New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy held a press conference at Manhattan Beach Park near the Manhattan Beach Tennis Courts in Brooklyn, where they announced a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the brutal assault on a 17-year-old Ukrainian teenager. The attack had left the victim permanently blinded in one eye and had shocked residents across New York City.
The press conference was attended by elected officials, community leaders, local residents, and representatives of law enforcement agencies, all of whom expressed solidarity with the victim and his family while calling for the swift identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Assemblyman Michael Novakhov strongly condemned the violent assault, describing it as a senseless act that had no place in any community. He emphasized that every resident, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion, deserved to feel safe in New York City. He stated that the reward was intended to encourage anyone with information about the attack to come forward and assist investigators in bringing those responsible to justice.
Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy also addressed the gathering and expressed her deep concern over the incident. She said violence motivated by hatred or intolerance could never be accepted and stressed the importance of standing together as one community against crime. She urged witnesses or anyone possessing relevant information to cooperate with law enforcement authorities so that justice could be served.
During the briefing, speakers provided an update on the investigation and outlined the efforts already undertaken by community leaders and law enforcement agencies to identify the suspects. They noted that investigators had continued reviewing available evidence, gathering witness statements, and following leads in an effort to locate those responsible for the attack.
Community leaders who attended the event echoed the call for justice and encouraged Brooklyn residents to remain vigilant and assist investigators in any way possible. They emphasized that public cooperation was essential in solving the case and ensuring that violent offenders were held accountable for their actions.
The victim, identified as Valentyn, had previously shared his experience in an interview that highlighted the devastating physical and emotional impact of the assault. Speakers said his courage in speaking publicly had inspired many members of the community to support the ongoing investigation and advocate for stronger protections against violent crime.
Participants at the press conference reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring that justice would be pursued without exception. They stressed that acts of violence targeting innocent individuals threatened the security of the entire community and required a united response from public officials, law enforcement, and local residents alike.
The event concluded with a renewed appeal to the public to provide any information that could assist investigators. Officials expressed confidence that, with continued community cooperation and law enforcement efforts, those responsible for the brutal assault would be identified, arrested, and prosecuted according to the law.