East Harlem Man Dies After Being Punched, Thrown Down Stairs

EAST HARLEM, NY — A man is facing murder charges after allegedly punching another man and throwing him down the stairs in front of an East Harlem building.

Around 9:16 p.m. on Aug. 3, police responded to reports of an unconscious man on East 109th Street between Fifth and Madison avenues.

They found the victim, 46-year-old Ariel Alvarado, lying unconscious and unresponsive with minor cuts to his knees. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where it was discovered that Alvarado had head trauma and severe internal injuries.

Alvarado, who lived nearby in the Clinton Houses, later died from his injuries, police said.

About a week later, police arrested 39-year-old Luis Ortiz in connection with Alvarado's death. Ortiz, police believe, punched Alvarado repeatedly in the face and head before throwing him down the stairs next to the 109th Street building where Ortiz lives.

Ortiz has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault, police said.