A man named Michael Ruiz, aged 46, was sentenced last week to spend three-and-a-half years in prison and three years under post-release supervision. This punishment was for a violent assault that resulted in two men getting injured. The incident took place during a street attack in Greenpoint in 2022.
Ruiz, a resident of Bushwick, was held accountable for slashing a stranger and assaulting a bystander who tried to intervene during the attack. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office made the announcement on Friday, following the sentencing by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson.
The assault occurred at around 2:15 a.m. on June 28, 2022, when Ruiz confronted a 39-year-old man outside his apartment on Berry Street. He threatened the man, claiming ownership of the block and even threatening to kill him. The situation escalated when Ruiz retrieved a knife from his vehicle and continued to make threats. A passerby attempted to intervene, but was punched in the face by Ruiz.
Following this, Ruiz knocked the 39-year-old man to the ground and proceeded to kick him repeatedly. He then used the knife to slash the victim across the arm, causing severe injuries. The victim had to receive about 15 stitches for the cut on his arm, in addition to suffering a fractured orbital bone and a laceration under his eye.
Ruiz was apprehended by the police two months after the incident, and on August 19, 2024, he was convicted by a jury of second-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault. Despite prosecutors seeking a five-year prison term, Ruiz received a sentence of three-and-a-half years behind bars.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized that holding Ruiz accountable for his actions was crucial in addressing the random and vicious nature of the assault. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of the people in Brooklyn by imposing serious consequences on violent offenders like Ruiz.
