Suspect in chair attack at NYC restaurant in custody
NEW YORK - A man who authorities say was caught on video smashing a chair over the heads of two men at a barbecue restaurant in New York City is in custody, sources tell CBS New York.
Banya El-Amin turned himself in to police on Tuesday, reports the station. Authorities say he faces charges of assault and attempted assault.
El-Amin was allegedly caught on cell phone video slamming a chair over the head of two men at the Dallas BBQ restaurant in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood in May.
The incident happened around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, during what was reported to be a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
The video - which was captured by witness Isaam Sharef and posted to YouTube and Instagram - shows Jonathan Snipes being flung to the floor and kicked as others scream, "Stop!," reports the station.
After Snipes' partner pulls him away, the attacker is reportedly seen raising a wooden chair and slamming it down on both men's skulls. Snipes slumps in a chair, while the other man collapses to the floor, according to the station.
Snipes told CBS New York they were out to dinner when a drink spilled, and the suspect - who was sitting at another table - allegedly made an anti-gay slur before attacking them.
Just weeks after the attack, the NYPD identified El-Amin as the attacker seen in the video and said they were investigating the case as a possible hate crime.
Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce at the time described El-Amin as a "career criminal."