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Woman Punched Outside Queens Deli Dies Months Later

What to Know

  • A 69-year-old grandmother was punched at random outside of a deli in Queens last October
  • She was knocked out cold and suffered what police described as serious injuries
  • She died on Feb. 18 and police said the incident in October has been reclassified as a homicide

The 69-year-old woman who was sucker punched at random outside of a Queens deli last fall has died.

Police said Eve Gentillon died Saturday, about four months after she was allegedly punched by 29-year-old Richard Springer outside King Deli on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica.

The NYPD has reclassified the incident as a homicide in the wake of her death. 

Springer was arrested on robbery and assault charges about two weeks after the Oct. 18 attack. He is due back in court next month and is expected to face upgraded charges. 

Surveillance video from the deli shows a man punching Gentillon in the face outside the deli. The power of the blow knocks her out cold and sends her tumbling to the ground. 

The woman suffered cuts and swelling on her face and head — injuries that police described as serious at the time. 

After punching Gentillon, authorities said the man took off with a stolen can of beer.

Authorities said that before the attack, Springer allegedly got into a fight with a worker at the deli and stormed out in a rage. 

Attorney information for Springer wasn't immediately available. 

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