Queens Park rapist: Manhunt continues for ‘monster’ who sexually abused 13-year-old girl

Long after sunrise on Saturday, New York police continued their large-scale manhunt for the Queens Park rapist who brutally attacked a 13-year-old girl on Thursday afternoon.

So far, police have drawn a sketch of the “monster,” as NYPD leadership described him, and offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.

“As a father and a long-time member of this department, I know this is every parent’s nightmare. All communities should be very dismayed by this and ready to help police solve this problem,” Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said at a June 14 press conference. “We will utilize all investigative resources. And I again ask the communities to help us bring closure to this case for these young children and this family.”

The horrific incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on June 13 in Kissena Corridor Park in Flushing, according to police, when the perpetrator approached two 13-year-old children, a boy and a girl, who were playing on a soccer field near Kalmia Avenue and Colden Street.

According to investigators, the suspect told them in Spanish to follow him into the woods. When the teens refused, the attacker told them in English to shut up. He then brandished a machete-like knife and told them to follow him into the woods.

“The children were forced at knifepoint to follow him to a secluded area of ​​the park, where he tied the boy and girl’s wrists together with a shoelace,” said NYPD Chief of Investigations Joseph Kenny. “The perpetrator then sexually assaulted the 13-year-old girl. When the assault was over, the perpetrator ordered both victims to remain in place for 20 minutes while he fled on foot after robbing both children of their cell phones.”

The teenagers returned to their school and informed the staff about the events in the park. The NYPD School Safety Division immediately notified 911, which prompted an immediate response from the 109th District.

Emergency services arrived at the school and took the victims to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, where they were listed in stable condition.

During Friday’s press conference, with drones flying overhead, Kenny said the shoelace and a water bottle used by the suspect were recovered from the scene and are being used as forensic evidence in the investigation.

A distinctive look

Despite the horrific events, the police managed to get a good picture of the rapist’s appearance, including a conspicuous tattoo on his chest.

Kenny described the suspect as a light-skinned Hispanic man in his 20s with short curly hair and braces. He was wearing a black T-shirt, black sweatpants and red sneakers and was carrying a green backpack.

“He has a tattoo on the left side of his chest that is described as a bull or other animal with red eyes and horns,” Kenny added.

The NYPD has now released sketches of both the suspect and the tattoo on his chest.

John Chell, chief of patrol at the NYPD, described the investigation as a response by all parties involved.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with the Detective Bureau, whatever Chief Kenny and his people need,” Chell said. “We’ll work with school safety and community affairs, whether it’s street surveillance, gathering intelligence, handing out fliers, whatever we need to do to get this animal – this animal – off the streets.”

Queens City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, who represents the borough, issued a statement Friday asking the public for help in identifying the suspect.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the young victims and their families following Thursday’s horrific incident in Kissena Park,” Ung said. “No child should ever have to experience such trauma. If anyone has information about this horrific attack, please contact the NYPD or 109th Precinct immediately. Your cooperation could be critical to apprehending the suspect and preventing further harm. I have been in touch with both the NYPD and Mayor Adams about this incident and their efforts to apprehend the suspect. I will also be working closely with them on strategies and necessary equipment to improve public safety in Kissena Park.”

NYPD Deputy Chief of Police Kaz Daughtry said small cameras would be installed throughout the park. “We will stop at nothing until we bring this monster to justice,” Daughtry said.

Anyone with information regarding this sexual assault investigation is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by visiting the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.orgor on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages will be kept confidential.

Detective Crystal Doxsee of the Queens Special Victims Squad is the lead investigator on this case and can be reached at 718-520-9272.

As of June 9, the 109th Precinct has reported a dozen rapes in 2024, 5 fewer than the 17 reported at the same time last year, a 29.4% decrease, according to the latest CompStat report. The NYPD noted that rape cases are historically underreported.

This story first appeared on QNS.com.