Exclusive: Bodega worker speaks out from his hospital bed following assault in Midwood
Yasir Muhammad was still in a hospital bed on Wednesday, two days after the video showed he was sucker punched.
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In a News 12 exclusive, surveillance video shows the moments a bodega worker was assaulted outside of his own store in Midwood.
Yasir Muhammad was still in a hospital bed on Wednesday, two days after the video showed he was sucker punched.
"When we are alone, we don't feel safe," said Muhammad.
The victim said employees were outnumbered on Monday night, as they tried to control a group who they believed were teenagers entering their bodega on Avenue M.
News 12 blurred the faces of the people in the group because they are believed to be under the age of 18.
The video showed one person pushing the door open before Muhammad ran out with, what he said was, a metal stick to try and scare the group away.
"They tried to run so he can't come inside," Muhammad said.
The video then showed another person from the group, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, come out of the store and punch Muhammad from behind.
The victim was seen lying on the ground for several minutes before getting up on his own.
Muhammad told News 12 he needed two staples in his head.
Muhammad said employees only allow the group to enter two or three people at a time because they are known for shoplifting.
"They're just stealing the candy, just stealing the juice and everything," said Muhammad.
The victim's uncle, Muhammad Azam, said the group shoplifts multiple times a week.
"It's all summer,” said Azam. “A lot of them grab candy, juice, soda. [They] take a lot put it in their bag, put it in a big jacket."
Muhammad said that he did not see the group carrying weapons, but they are still not allowed back into the store.
"We're not going to serve him anymore, so don't let him come into my store anymore," said Muhammad.
As of Wednesday night, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police.
