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Victim in Bushwick Assault Remains in Critical Condition, Family Says

By  Dana Varinsky and Murray Weiss | September 27, 2013 8:31pm 

 Lauro Ponce, 63, who has been in critical condition since a man attacked him on Knickerbocker Ave. on September 14.
Lauro Ponce, 63, who has been in critical condition since a man attacked him on Knickerbocker Ave. on September 14.
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Ponce family

BROOKLYN — A man sucker-punched in Bushwick two weeks ago remains in critical condition, eating and breathing through tubes, while his attacker remains at large, relatives said.

Lauro Ponce, 63, was walking along Knickerbocker Avenue, near Starr Street, about 3:52 a.m. when a man slugged him in the face and rummaged through his pockets as he lay on the concrete on Sept. 14, sources said.

Surveillance video released by cops shows the attacker, and a woman he was with, calmly walk up to Ponce, deck without provocation and slowly walk away.

Ponce, who is originally from Ecuador, was rushed to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center where he was being monitored closely Friday, police and relatives said.

Suspect in Bushwick Sucker Punch
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NYPD

"We're taking it day by day. It's pretty hard," said the victim's niece, Lissette Ponce.

She said her uncle recently opened her eyes which relatives, who have remained by his bedside every day, took as an encouraging sign even though doctors believe his recovery could be lengthy.

Lauro Ponce, a father of three daughters, lives in Bushwick near where he assault occurred with his wife.

"If you were to meet him, he’s the happiest person, always happy, wanting everyone to get along. And now you see him like this. So we’re just hopeful that he comes out of it and that someone comes forward,” Lissette Ponce said.

The niece visited the 83 Precinct stationhouse Friday where investigators told her they may know on which block the attacker lives, but not his name.

A police spokesman could not confirm this account.

“I’m just hoping that someone from the neighborhood can come forward and say, 'Yes, it was so-and-so,'" Lissette Ponce said.

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