A different sort of “sneak” attack took place in Ozone Park after a fight broke out while customers waited for sought-after Air Jordan 7 Olympic Retro sneakers.
Two brothers, ages 16 and 25, were arrested and charged with assault on Friday, July 20, after the pair hit two other men with a metal chair, police said.
The duo, whose names have not been released, were waiting on line for the sought-after sneakers, which retail for $175, at the Modell’s in Ozone Park. Police said sneaker hopefuls started lining up outside of the store at 6 p.m. to wait overnight for the Saturday morning release of the shoes.
Not long after, police said, disputes started to break out over placement in the line. That’s when the pair struck the two victims with a chair, hitting one in the neck and side of the head.
As of Saturday, July 21, one victim was still in the hospital after being critically injured by the blow, though police could not confirm which hospital the man was taken to.
The city Department of Correction could not confirm if they young men had been released on bail, as names were not available.
Variations of the sneakers have been in the news over the years for prompting collectors to attack each other in order to get a pair. It was reported over the weekend that a man in Hazeltown, Pennsylvania, was charged with stabbing two and injuring a teenager.
Managers at the Ozone Park store said they could not comment on the matter, and representatives from the sporting goods chain did not respond to requests for comment. After being informed of the incident, customers of the store said they couldn’t believe people would fight over sneakers. “I think it’s ridiculous that kids wait on line for sneakers,” said Janine Dougherty. “No sneakers are worth fighting for.”
— Additional reporting by Philip Hertling
