The suspect in the brutal beating of a Brooklyn teen outside a mosque over the weekend has been arrested on an assault charge, authorities said.
Christopher Vallaro, 31, surrendered to police Wednesday, three days after the attack near the Muslim Community Center. Police have said bias was not believed to have been a motive in the attack, and no hate crime charges were filed.
According to police, the 16-year-old victim and a 17-year-old boy were riding their bikes in the area of the Muslim Community Center on Third Avenue and 53rd Street when the 16-year-old was approached by someone who accused him of harassing his girlfriend.
Surveillance video shows the suspect punching the victim, knocking him off his bike, and then beating him on the ground. When the 17-year-old friend came to his aid, he was also attacked.
The 16-year-old sustained a concussion, cuts, bruises and severe swelling to his eye, head and face. His friend had a black eye.
It wasn't immediately clear if Vallaro had an attorney.
