Assault Leads to Traffic Death Near Columbia

Last night, shortly before 9 p.m., Minghui Yu, a [24-year-old Columbia University graduate student], was assaulted by two unidentified men. Surveillance cameras show that when he reached the northeast corner of West 122nd Street, he crossed Broadway to the median and was in a violent struggle with at least one of the assailants, [police said](http://www.newsday.com/news/local/manhattan/ny-nyhit0406,0,917623.story). When he broke free and ran from the muggers into the southbound lane, he was struck by a SUV and knocked several blocks. He was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital but died a few hours later.

As I was walking near the scene of the crime this afternoon, a [Crimestoppers] van was blaring the grisly details, chanting that the suspects were "two to four black males." Police are still looking for clues and suspects. If anyone has any knowledge that could lead to their arrest, they are invited to call 866-313-TIPS (8477) to leave anonymous information.

Photo courtesy of [Columbia Spectator]/Facebook