Queens woman found slashed outside apartments

QUEENS, N.Y. (WABC) -- A woman was found slashed across the neck outside an apartment building in the Jamaica section of Queens early Wednesday.

The woman, in her early 20s, was found on a sidewalk on 171st Street at about 5:25 a.m. She was rushed to Jamaica Medical Center in critical condition, but has since been upgraded to serious. Police aren't releasing the woman's name.

Passersby found her body on the street. No arrests were immediately made.

The block of 171st between Jamaica and 90th avenues was an active crime scene for most of the day. A large pool of blood remained at the corner as of noontime.

According to police, the incident happened inside a nearby apartment building around Wednesday morning. Somehow, the victim made it outside to a nearby sidewalk, where people walking by found her and called for help.

The incident has people who live and work nearby on guard.

"I was shocked because when I came out, I saw all these cops and was like, 'Oh God, what the hell happened?'" said one witness.

The victim had no identification on her, and authorities are looking into whether or not she was a prostitute. Authorities say the building where it happened is a known drug and prostitution location.

A surveillance camera captured the victim walking into the building with a man, and a second man who was walking his dog and held the door for them.

After about a minute, the men ran out, one north on 171st Street and one south on 171st Street.

Then the woman ran out and attempted to call for help, but she collapsed on the sidewalk.

Police say she had defense wounds on her hands, was bleeding heavily and could not speak further.

She was wearing sports bra and spandex pants, and she reportedly had a lighter and two condoms in her pocket.