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Murder probe underway after a suspect delivers a deadly punch to a Ridgewood man

Officers at the scene of a deadly assault on what turned out to be a Ridgewood street on the morning of Sept. 3.
Photo by Mark Mellone

Detectives have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a Ridgewood man who was assaulted in front of his home earlier this week.

Hugo Moreta, 56, was punched in the face by an unidentified male along Decatur Street between Cypress and Wyckoff avenues at about 1:30 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 3. Police said Moreta’s head struck the ground as he fell from the blow, causing him to lose consciousness.

Officers from the 104th Precinct later learned that Moreta was attacked after getting into a dispute with the suspect and a second, unidentified individual. The two other men involved in the incident fled the scene before police arrived.

Cops found Moreta unconscious and bleeding from the mouth; paramedics rushed him to Elmhurst Hospital, where he died of his injuries on Thursday, Sept. 7. Police subsequently ruled his death a homicide.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the murder is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.