An off-duty New York firefighter has died after a suspected road rage attack in which he was severely beaten by the side of a Brooklyn highway.
Faizal Coto, 33, was found on the shoulder of the Belt Parkway near Exit 4 in Bath Beach at around 4:45 a.m. on 9 December with trauma injures to his face and head and damage to his 2008 Ford Mustang.
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Coto, who had worked for the New York Fire Department for the past three years, is believed to have got into an altercation with the driver of a 2006 Infiniti G35 after both vehicles knocked into each other as they drove side by side.
The men are then believed to have got out of their cars and started arguing on the side of the road, before the suspect hit Coto over the head with a blunt instrument, believed to be a baseball bat, reports the New York Daily News.
The driver then got back into his car and fled the scene. Police are still searching for the suspect who was driving the grey or silver Infiniti with a New York license plate JEA 2402.
Coto was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"It's a tragedy," FDNY spokesman Jim Long told the New York Post. "He was a young man who decided to dedicate himself and his life to serve others. Now he's gone."
Coto had worked at Engine 245/Ladder 161 in Brighton Beach and did not have any children, Long added.
Outside of firefighting, Coto was also an aspiring rapper who performed under the name FAIYA.
"Slowly making a return to my music. I have a ton of ground to make up," he wrote in a Facebook status update on November 25.
"Your support as always is appreciated. I don't ask for a dime...only that you share. Spread the FAIYA."
Elsewhere, tributes have also been paid to the 33-year-old on social media.
"I just don't understand how this could have happened to you! So full of life and so friendly to everyone! I just can't believe your no longer here. I pray your family finds strength during these dark and difficult times. You will be greatly missed, but your spirit lives on forever," wrote Christina Palmeri.
"I miss you already my brother, this seems like a bad dream. It was too soon for you. You will always be among the best men I have known. Until we meet again my friend," added Michael Anthony.
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About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
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