Nov. 14, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A man was bludgeoned to death with a wooden board in Corona early Sunday during a street fight involving a large group of suspects.
Esvin Vasquez, 23, was fatally hit over the head multiple times with the board in front of a BP gas station, located at 43-15 Junction Blvd., at around 2:10 a.m., according to police.
The incident unfolded when Vasquez — of 43rd Avenue in Corona — got into a dispute with a group of at least six men outside the gas station, according to police and published reports.
The argument turned violent, and Vasquez fell to the ground during the brawl before a number of men then began kicking him, a grainy video posted online video shows.
One suspect then grabbed a wooden board and bashed Vasquez over the head with the object, police said.
The group then fled the scene southbound on Junction Boulevard, according to police and video.
Vasquez was found by responding police with a severe head injury, the NYPD said.
He was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst where he was pronounced dead.
It is unclear what sparked the initial argument.
Vasquez was originally from Guatemala and had moved to New York City to provide for his wife and 1-year-old son, according to the New York Daily News.
He worked at a furniture store to build a better life for his family in Guatemala, his brother Brian Vasquez told the publication.
“My brother was only here in New York for short while,” Brian Vasquez said. “He wanted to save enough money to build a house back in Guatemala for his son Sammy and his wife Sofia. When I spoke to his wife, she was in shock. She couldn’t even speak,” he said.
The NYPD did not provide any further details pertaining to the incident and there have been no arrests. The investigation is ongoing.