A Long Island man accused of sucker punching seven random people in apparent “knockout game” attacks was arraigned on assault charges Wednesday.
Darryl Mitchell, 20, is accused of attacking several people for no apparent reason between April and December, Suffolk County authorities say. The victims range in age from 17 to 69.
He is thought to be the first person arrested in the county for “knockout game” attacks, where suspects punch unsuspecting victims before running away.
Mitchell pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. A grand jury indictment charges him with seven counts of assault. He is also charged with one count of criminal mischief.
Most recently, two men were attacked hours apart on Dec. 1. In the first, the suspect punched a 66-year-old in the face on the same North Amityville street where Mitchell lives. Then, a few hours later, another man was who was heading to church was hit, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Robert Clifford told Newsday.
“The defendant ran up to him and suddenly punched him in the face multiple times and he fell to the ground,” Clifford said.
Mitchell was arrested Dec. 4 after he was identified by four victims. Mitchell is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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Defense attorney Scott Gross says his client will be vindicated when all the facts of the case are revealed.
