Men Charged in Fatal Beating of Homeless Man in Brooklyn
Two men have been arrested on manslaughter charges in connection with the brutal attack that led to the death of a homeless man who was sleeping in a supermarket parking lot in Brooklyn, New York. The suspects were taken into custody on Friday, police said, and are awaiting arraignment.
The deadly assault occurred on September 18, when 38-year-old Cos Jervis Jonas Ajpuac and another man, aged 42, were attacked while they slept in the parking lot of a ShopRite supermarket. Ajpuac, who was severely beaten with metal pipes and a baseball bat, succumbed to his injuries on October 2. The second man survived the attack, according to authorities.
Homeless Victims Targeted While Sleeping
The attack, which occurred around 7 p.m., was described as sudden and violent. Store security worker Stephen DeGrasse, who reviewed the security footage, told The Daily News that the assailants “just attacked them while they were sleeping.”
Both victims were regulars at the supermarket, often collecting bottles and cans to redeem for the five-cent deposit. DeGrasse noted that the victims and suspects were familiar with one another, frequently cashing in bottles together and sharing drinks afterward.
Investigation Ongoing
It remains unclear what motivated the attack, but police continue to investigate the relationship between the suspects and the victims. The names of the suspects have not been released, and it is uncertain whether they have obtained legal representation.
