Migrant, 13, and Friends Brutally Attack Man in Times Square Over Photo Snub

A chaotic scene unfolded near Times Square Sunday night when a 13-year-old migrant, backed by three masked accomplices, brutally attacked a man who refused to take their photo, authorities reported.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at West 40th Street and Seventh Avenue, where the Ecuadorian teen and his crew approached the 23-year-old victim, casually asking him to snap a picture. When the man declined, things turned violent.

According to the NYPD, the group assaulted the victim with a brass-knuckle knife, landing blows to his face and stabbing him in the back and leg. They also attempted to steal his cellphone but fled empty-handed.

Times Square, known as “The Crossroads of the World,” has witnessed a surge in violent incidents in recent months, with this attack highlighting growing concerns over juvenile crime. NYPD officers quickly responded to the scene, scouring the area alongside the injured victim, and apprehended the 13-year-old suspect.

The teen, whose last known address is the Roosevelt Hotel—an emergency shelter often cited for violent incidents—was charged with second-degree robbery. Despite stab wounds, the victim declined medical attention, as the injuries were deemed superficial.

The other three suspects, all dressed in black with matching masks, remain at large as of Monday. Law enforcement sources say the 13-year-old was no stranger to crime. On October 26, he was arrested for a violent chain-snatching incident on an F train in Brooklyn. In that case, five suspects, including the teen, restrained a sleeping victim and forcibly stole his jewelry.

NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael Lipetri recently highlighted a troubling trend. “We are arresting juveniles at higher levels than ever before,” Lipetri told The Post. “These kids aren’t stopping at one or two crimes—they’re committing five, six, even seven robberies. Most of them are processed under Family Court, which limits our ability to hold them accountable.”

The Roosevelt Hotel, once a symbol of luxury, now houses asylum seekers, many of whom are minors. In recent months, it has become a flashpoint for violence and gang activity. Neighborhood residents have voiced growing concerns over safety in the area.

Tourists and New Yorkers alike expressed shock over the brazen assault. “It’s terrifying,” said Rachel Moreno, a local shop owner near Times Square. “We’re seeing more of these attacks, and it feels like nothing is being done.”

The NYPD continues to search for the remaining suspects. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the urgency to apprehend the masked attackers still at large.

This violent encounter adds to the growing list of juvenile crimes plaguing New York City, as law enforcement grapples with how to curb the alarming rise in youth violence.