By Howard Koplowitz
A 16-year-old was arrested on attempted murder and assault charges following a large fight outside a Glen Oaks club early Sunday that left the victim in critical condition with brain damage at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, police said.
A criminal complaint filed with the Queens district attorney’s office identified the teen as 16-year-old Kevin Toohill of 251 Elkmont Ave. in Bellerose.
The complaint charged Toohill with attempted murder and assault.
Inspector Paul Piekarski, commanding officer of the 105th Precinct, said Toohill had been charged with assault before.
“The individual arrested is no stranger to the police,” Piekarski told Community Board 13 Monday night. “It’s a very serious assault. The victim almost passed away.” Piekarski said the 27-year-old victim had “very serious brain damage.”
He said the fight unfolded around 2:30 a.m. Sunday at the corner of 248th Street and Union Turnpike, near The Blue Room at 248-13 Union Tnpk., a nightclub/cafe that opened about two months ago. Piekarski said the brawl involved “a group of people from Long Island.”
An eyewitness told police he observed Toohill punch the victim in the face one time and that the victim fell to the ground, according to the criminal complaint.
The eyewitness said the victim was unconscious and trembling on the ground, the complaint said.
While the victim was unconscious, the eyewitness said Toohill kicked the victim in the head multiple times with the heel of his shoe, the complaint said.
A doctor said the victim “will be in a medically-induced coma for at least one week,” according to the complaint.
Piekarski said there had been no prior incidents at The Blue Room, but police were investigating whether an argument that led to the fight started in the club and spilled out onto the street.
Piekarski said the precinct was “going to look into the licensing” of The Blue Room even though the fight did not occur in the club.
“I want to make sure they stay on the clean page,” he said.
A female worker at The Blue Room said Monday she was unaware of any fight near the club. A nearby resident who declined to give his name said the club has been a nuisance for the community.
“People are complaining because we can’t sleep,” said the resident, noting The Blue Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The resident said close to 50 people were involved in the fight.
“They were fighting. Traffic couldn’t get through. There was blood all over. It was quite something,” he said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
