You are reading

Homeless Man Assaulted on Ridgewood Street Dies Days Later; Suspect Charged With Murder

The bus stop at Forest Avenue and Putnam Avenue where Lukasz Ruszczyk was found (Google Map)

May 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin

A 38-year-old homeless man died in hospital Tuesday after having been assaulted in Ridgewood days earlier.

Lukasz Ruszczyk, who was living on the streets of Ridgewood, succumbed to his injuries at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center nearly five days after he was assaulted by another homeless man, police said.

Ruszczyk was found intoxicated and beaten, laying on the sidewalk by a bus stop at Forest Avenue and Putnam Avenue on Friday, April 30 at 3 a.m. A witness called 911 and an ambulance rushed him to Wyckoff Heights, police said.

Doctors discovered that Ruszczyk had bruising about his torso and had suffered a severe brain injury — signs of an apparent assault. Hospital officials called officers from the 104th Precinct to investigate.

Police later learned that a woman had called 911 just before 6 p.m. on Thursday to report a group of homeless men fighting at the same location where Ruszczyk was found hours later.

Officers arrested 35-year-old Piotr Wilk, who is also homeless, on murder charges.

This was not the first time that Ruszczyk had been assaulted in Ridgewood, according to a report.

During an interview in March with a reporter from the Queens Eagle, Ruszczyk told the publication that someone had recently kicked him while he was sleeping in the Ridgewood area. He lifted his shirt and revealed a large bruise on his side to the reporter.

However, Ruszczyk — who said he became homeless last year due to a landlord/tenant dispute — told the publication he’d rather sleep on the street than in a crowded shelter.

“I went to a shelter. I was robbed several times,” he told the Eagle in March. “I’d rather freeze than go back.”

Department of Homeless Services workers had tried to convince Ruszczyk to move into a shelter multiple times to no avail, the publication reported.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.