Senator Avella Holds Rally Demanding Montefiore Hospital Release Information On The Attack That Left Seong Soo Kim With Brain Damage
January 8, 2016
(New York, NY) Today, State Senator Tony Avella held a press conference with Helen Kim, Christine Colligan and members of the Korean community demanding Montefiore Hospital release information on their yearlong investigation into the assault on Seong Soo Kim. Despite the incident being over a year old, Montefiore Hospital has failed to produce any information on the investigation, and the attacker is still at large.
On the morning of October 6th, 2014, Seong Soo Kim was found in a pool of his own blood after an attacker approached from behind and assaulted him with a blunt object to the head. The attack resulted in a two-day coma and caused severe brain damage. Last contact prior to the assault was a text message exchange between Seong and his wife Helen Kim, also employed by Montefiore Hospital, until 11:09 when the Seong stopped replying. His coworker subsequently found Seong on the floor of the Engineering Department, where he worked.
Helen Kim Asked the 52nd Precinct to investigate the assault after growing frustrated with the Hospital’s lack of communication and apparent inaction on the case. According to Mrs. Kim, the precinct refused to take the report and instructed her to see the Security Director of Montefiore Health System, Mr. Lonnie Trotta. Mrs. Kim claims that the Hospital has failed to provide sufficient information on whether there was a thorough investigation into the assault.
“I find it incredibly appalling that Montefiore has not been transparent with Mrs. Kim concerning the assault on her husband within their own walls. The attacker is still at large and could very well still be employed at Montefiore Hospital; that alone should be enough of a reason to intensify their investigation or at least disclose what is known and cooperate with the NYPD. We will not be satisfied with anything short of transparency and justice for the victim of this horrible tragedy,” said State Senator Tony Avella.