Queens deli beating victim on life support as attackers can’t make bail
Two Queens deli workers have been arrested after assaulting a customer over the weekend. Jorge Hernandez, 23, and Saber Abuhamra, 34, are being held on $30,000 bail, charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault, and second-degree strangulation. According to prosecutors, the attack began after the 31-year-old victim, James Keena, complained about his food order at the Pickles & Pies Food Market & Deli in Rockaway Park early Sunday. Hernandez allegedly punched Keena, causing him to hit his face on the countertop, and held him down by the neck while Abuhamra kicked and punched him in the face and body. Keena blacked out and suffered a seizure, leaving him on life support at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. He is in critical condition, but stable. If convicted, Hernandez and Abuhamra could face up to seven years in prison.
FAQs
What happened in the incident at Pickles & Pies Food Market & Deli?
Two deli workers, Jorge Hernandez and Saber Abuhamra, were charged with assaulting a customer, James Keena, after he complained about his food order. Hernandez punched Keena, causing him to hit his face on the countertop, while Abuhamra kicked and punched him in the face and body. Keena blacked out and suffered a seizure, leaving him on life support at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
What are the charges against Hernandez and Abuhamra?
They are charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault, and second-degree strangulation.
What will happen if they are convicted?
If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.
What is Keena’s condition now?
He remains in critical-but-stable condition.
What did witnesses say about the incident?
An eyewitness previously told The Post that Keena had come into the deli drunk at about 5 a.m. and began “cursing everybody out.” None of the workers at Pickles & Pies would talk to reporters.
Assailants unable to post bail as Queens deli beating victim remains on life support
Two employees of Pickles & Pies Food Market & Deli in Rockaway Park, Queens, were arrested for beating a customer during an argument over a food order. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Jorge Hernandez, 23, and Saber Abuhamra, 34, allegedly came out from behind the counter after James Keena, 31, complained about his food. Hernandez punched Keena, causing him to fall into the countertop, then held him down by the neck, while Abuhamra punched and kicked him in the face and body. Keena later suffered a seizure and was put on life support in hospital. The two men were charged with assault and strangulation and were ordered to be held on $30,000 bail. Keena is still in critical condition. If convicted, Hernandez and Abuhamra face up to seven years in prison.