The New York City boy accused of punching an elderly woman down the steps of a Queens church last Sunday has reportedly tried to take his own life at the police precinct Friday.
The 16-year-old reportedly wrapped his shirt around his neck and attempted to strangle himself shortly before his scheduled arraignment.
He stands accused of a “vicious” attack on 68-year-old Irene Tahliambouris who was brutally punched and knocked down a flight of stairs at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood.
Prosecutors said that the teen has been arrested nine times as an adolescent offender, eight of these arrests were for robbery.
The suspect’s mother denied late Friday that her son had any mental issues describing him as an average teen and a “good boy.”
“I love my son. He’s in the 11th grade at Voyagers at August Martin High School. He goes to school, he goes to his program, he goes to counseling. He does everything he’s supposed to do.”
