Bushwick Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison for Violent Assault
A Bushwick man will serve over three years in prison for slashing a stranger and assaulting a bystander who tried to intervene during a 2022 street attack in Greenpoint, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office announced Friday.
The Incident
On October 18, 2022, Michael Ruiz, 46, confronted a 39-year-old man who was talking on the phone outside his Berry Street apartment, telling him, “I own this block,” and threatening to kill him.
Bloody and Brutal Violence
Ruiz retrieved a knife from his vehicle and continued to threaten the victim. When a passerby attempted to intervene, Ruiz punched the good Samaritan in the face, according to trial evidence. He then knocked the 39-year-old to the ground, kicking him repeatedly before slashing him across the arm with the knife.
Injuries and Arrest
The victim suffered a fractured orbital bone, a laceration under his eye, and a cut on his arm that required about 15 stitches. Police arrested Ruiz two months later, and on August 19, 2024, a jury convicted him of second-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault.
Sentence
On October 18, 2024, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson sentenced Michael Ruiz to three-and-a-half years behind bars and three years of post-release supervision. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said the sentence holds Ruiz accountable for the “random and vicious assault,” although prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term.
“Keeping the people of Brooklyn safe is my highest priority, and violent offenders such as this defendant will face serious consequences,” Gonzalez said.
FAQs
Q: What did Michael Ruiz do?
Q: How long will Michael Ruiz be in prison?
Q: How did the victim get injured?
Q: How long did it take for Michael Ruiz to be arrested?
Michael Ruiz was arrested two months after the incident.
