You are reading

Deranged Man Flips Cart in Unprovoked Assault in Flushing Injuring Toddler: NYPD

iStock

March 14, 2022 By Christian Murray

A 3-year-old girl required stitches to her forehead after a deranged man flipped over the little wagon she was in sitting in throwing her to the ground in Flushing Friday, according to police.

Christopher Elder, a 31-year-old Flushing resident with a violent past, allegedly approached the girl’s grandmother, Maria Zamora, at around 6:20 a.m. on 45th Avenue and Robinson Street and started yelling at her as she was throwing out trash.

Elder then turned his attention away from Zamora and targeted her 3 year-old grandchild Sophia. He allegedly grabbed the wagon Sophia was riding in and then kicked it, causing it to topple over. Elder then fled the scene.

Sophia suffered a laceration to her head, according to police, and was taken by EMS to Flushing Hospital Medical Center. The family released photos of the girl to CBS News.

The police searched the area and quickly found Elder at 45th Avenue and Kissena Boulevard. They charged him with felony assault, reckless endangerment, acting in a manner injurious to a child, and harassment. He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Elder has at least eight prior arrests, many of them assaults.

He allegedly struck a 30-year-old man in the head with a glass bottle on Feb. 25 at a U-Haul location along the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, according to police.

In addition, he allegedly shoved a 26-year-old woman and her 9-year-old daughter to the ground in Flushing in December and punched them in the face.

Council Member Sandra Ung, who represents the Flushing area, issued a statement Friday saying the assault on Sophia was troubling.

“I was disturbed to hear of the incident this morning at 45th Avenue and Robinson Street, where a … girl was hurt when an emotionally disturbed man flipped the cart she was riding in.”

She thanked the local 109th precinct for making the arrest.

“I am glad the 109th Precinct made a quick arrest, but with eight prior arrests and a history of mental illness, it’s vital this individual is taken off the streets.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Celebrate the season: a guide to fall events at Queens Botanical Garden

Sep. 18, 2025 By Jessica Militello

There is nothing quite like witnessing the beauty of fall amongst the plants and wildlife at the Queens Botanical Garden. The 47-acre sanctuary offers a tranquil respite from the city, including an array of classes, events and workshops to learn more about nature and connect with the community. The garden has a variety of exciting events and programs to fully immerse oneself in the autumn season, from their Apples and Honey Day Festival to kids’ programs and much more. Whether you are looking to volunteer or tap into your creativity, here is a list of upcoming events.

CM Julie Won vows to vote against OneLIC Neighborhood Plan if neighborhood priorities are not included

Sep. 18, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Council Member Julie Won has once again outlined that she will vote against the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan unless the comprehensive neighborhood rezoning includes specific community guarantees — including a commitment to provide deeply affordable housing, over 1,300 new school seats, a substantial increase in open space, and a comprehensive plan to improve resiliency in the neighborhood.

Suspect sought in Kew Gardens jewel heist at private residence near Forest Park: NYPD

Police from the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill are looking for a bearded burglar who was captured on video surveillance pulling off a jewel heist at a Kew Gardens home four blocks east of Forest Park late last month.

The suspect was seen walking on 84th Street near 118th Street at around 4:45 a.m. when he unlawfully entered a private residence through a rear door. Once inside, the suspect went into a bedroom and removed a black box, which contained jewelry valued at approximately $1,950, police said. The stranger left the home and ran off southbound on 118th Street toward Bessemer Street in Richmond Hill. There were no injuries reported after the jewel heist.

Suspect wanted for allegedly groping three women as they walked to work in Corona: NYPD

Police from the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights are looking for a serial groper who targeted three women in 20 minutes on Monday, Sept. 1, in Corona.

The first incident occurred at around 5:55 a.m. as a 37-year-old victim was walking to work near the intersection of 103rd Street and 37th Avenue when a stranger approached her from behind and allegedly grabbed her buttocks before running off westbound on 37th Avenue toward 102nd Street.