Man accused of fatally pushing mother down grass embankment at NYC park

A 22-year-old man is accused of pushing a woman down a grass embankment in New York City over the weekend, ultimately killing her.

Miguel Duval was charged with murder in connection to the incident that occurred at a park in Washington Heights, Manhattan on Sunday, an NYPD spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Officers responded to the area around 4 p.m. after receiving a call about an assault. A witness informed them that Duval "pushed" Vianel Garcia, 44, down the embankment, "causing serious injuries," police said.

Duval was arrested on the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where she was determined dead. Police said an investigation is ongoing.

Local reports identified Garcia as Duval's mother. USA TODAY has reached out to police for more information.

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According to the New York Daily News, Duval and Garcia argued before the attack. The suspect's father was in the Dominican Republic when he heard what happened.

"He killed my wife. He took away my entire life," his father, Miguel Sierra Duval, told the outlet. "He ruined my family."

Garcia was an East Harlem resident known as a beautician and owner of Vianel Beauty Salon. Friends alleged that Duval, who lived at a shelter, was grappling with mental health issues and had a history of threatening family members.

In an interview with the Daily News, Garcia's friend, Hilda Santiago, claimed that Duval called his mother to the park after a dispute at the shelter.

"She went with someone else so she won't go alone because she was afraid of him," said Santiago, per the report. "When she went, he told her, 'Oh, let's go to the park.' And when the other guy went to go buy food that's when he did what he did."

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man accused of fatally pushing mother down grass embankment at NYC park