June 26, 2014 By Michael Florio
The police are NOT treating the brutal killing of a 56-year-old man in Woodside Saturday as a hate crime.
Roberto Martires, a father of two and limo driver, was punched in the face in front of 69-04 Roosevelt Ave at approximately 12:10 am Saturday, before dying at Elmhurst Hospital from his injuries on Tuesday.
Despite reports that he was asked whether he was Filipino by the suspect before being struck, the police do not believe the attack was racially motivated.
The police are still looking to question a man described as a Hispanic male, in his early-to-mid 20’s, last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and a dark colored baseball cap.
A memorial featuring flowers, candles and a flag of the Philippines, has been erected near where Martires, a Woodside resident, was attacked.
