Queens officials promise to curb gang violence after attack on basketball player

JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens (WABC) -- Elected officials are vowing to put an end to gang violence after a teenager was stabbed in the back this week at a basketball court in Queens.

The teen was playing basketball Monday evening at Travers Park in Jackson Heights when he was approached by a group of young men who asked him if he was in a gang.

He said "no" and they attacked. Police describe the group as seven to nine known gang members. The 18-year-old victim was badly stabbed and beaten.

There have been no arrests and the victim has remained anonymous for protection.

New York state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Queens) and New York City councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) released a statement urging anyone with information about the attack to alert police.

"The city recently added 1,300 addition police officers to the force this year in order to further reduce crime in our neighborhoods," said the statement. "We will continue to do all that we can to put an end to gang related violence."

The two also said they were planning a joint town hall meeting with the New York City Police Department to discuss this newest wave of gang violence.