Queens pipe attack victim dies, suspect at large

A man beaten with a metal pipe on Saturday has died, and police are now searching for a second suspect connected to his homicide.

Shortly before 2 a.m. on Saturday, Martin Quiej, 34, was found by police in Woodside on the ground near the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and 54thStreet with head wounds, authorities stated. He died Tuesday from his injuries.

Quiej had been fighting on the street with two suspects when the men struck him repeatedly with a metal pipe, the New York Daily News reported.

Police said that they arrested Victor Mendoza, 21, shortly after the incident, but officials are still searching for the second suspect, who fled on foot near the corner of Skillman Avenue and 53rdStreet.

Now that Quiej, who was left with no brain stem function, has died, charges against Mendoza are expected to be upgraded, ABC reported. Mendoza was originally charged with attempted murder.

The suspect who fled on foot was described by police as a Hispanic man last seen wearing blue jeans, black shoes and a gray jacket.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.