The NYPD is investigating whether there may have been as many as five off-duty police officers in the sport bike ride that ended with the alleged assault on Range Rover driver Alexian Lien.
Overnight, the NYPD released photos of what police said is a person of interest who is believed to have been involved at the scene of the alleged assault.
Lien was driving his SUV on the West Side Highway in Manhattan with his wife and 2-year-old as part of a wedding anniversary celebration around 2 p.m. Sunday when their SUV was surrounded by the motorcyclists, who were doing an annual ride through the city, police and Lien’s wife said.
The bikers tried to slow traffic and one biker cut Lien off, slowing down and leading Lien to bump into the biker, police said. The group of motorcyclists then slowed down further and surrounded the SUV, causing Lien to accelerate away from the group.
Lien’s wife, Rosalyn Ng, said her husband feared for their lives when he decided to take off to get away from the group. As he sped off, Lien hit some of the motorcyclists, critically injuring one, authorities said.
Other motorcyclists chased Lien’s SUV and then bashed in his windows, pulled him out of the car, and beat him, police said.
Two men seen on video committing the most violent actions at the scene are in custody.