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16-Year-Old Girl Critically Hurt In Ditmars Brick Attack, Cops Say

By  Jeanmarie Evelly and Aidan Gardiner | April 11, 2013 8:14am | Updated on April 11, 2013 2:16pm

ASTORIA — A 16-year-old girl was brutally beaten with a brick in a Ditmars alleyway Tuesday night and cops have been unable to interview her because she is on a ventilator, officials said.

The victim, whose identity was not immediately released, walked into an alleyway beside 22-63 43rd St. about 10:45 p.m., where the suspect attacked her before fleeing, according to the NYPD.

Surveillance footage released by cops shows a man clad in a dark jacket, white T-shirt, and black sneakers run from the scene and drop what appears to be a brick. Cops believe he's about 6-feet tall and in his 20s. 

The victim, who lives nearby, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where she remains in critical but stable condition with head injuries, cops said.

Councilman Peter Vallone visited the scene Thursday morning to tell neighbors that cops are still waiting to get a full account of the attack from the victim and that they should do what they can to help the investigation.

“There’s two things the community can do right now and that’s pray and tell the cops anything that they know," Vallone said.

Neighbors said they were shocked to learn about the attack because the area is usually calm.

“I’d consider this apartment a 9 out of a 10. I’d never expect something like this to happen," said 34-year-old Mike DiPaola, whose apartment overlooks the alleyway, but was not home at the time of the attack.

"Around here, that never happens. I'm scared. You don't know what's going to happen here," said Lilla Terranova, 65, who has lived across from the alley for 35 years. "I hope they catch him."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).