Harlem Man's Death From Punch Declared Homicide, Police Say

HARLEM, NY — Police are declaring the death of a homeless man who was punched in Harlem a homicide, an NYPD spokesman said.

Julius Cabrera, 37, was standing in front of a building on West 135th Street and Amsterdam Avenue just after midnight on June 14 when an unknown man punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, police said. Cabrera hit his head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious by the blow, police said.

Medics rushed Cabrera, who the NYPD identified as homeless, to Mt. Sinai St. Luke's where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Cabrera's death was initially ruled a "dead on arrival" case by the NYPD.

Police released photos of the suspected attacker in June. Investigators describe the suspect as being a heavy-set man with a beard and mustache who was last seen wearing a blue and gray baseball cap, a light colored long sleeved shirt, a black shirt and black pants.

No arrests have been made in connection with Cabrera's death, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477).