Police probe deadly punch near hotel in Manhattan

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Police have opened a homicide investigation after a man was fatally punched in the face near a Manhattan hotel last month, authorities said Thursday.

Efrain Patino Guerra, 53, was assaulted near the Riu Hotel on West 47th Street at around 1:15 p.m. on June 17, according to the NYPD. Police said the victim fell to the ground after he was punched.

He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died on June 27, police said. The medical examiner’s office recently determined the incident was a homicide.

There have been no arrests.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org , downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .

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