New York Red Bulls coach slashed to death

USATODAY

Michael Jones was a youth coach with Red Bulls
Police say he was arguing with a man early Sunday
No arrests have been made

NEW YORK (AP) — A youth coach for the New York Red Bulls was fatally slashed in the neck and torso and his ear was cut off in one of New York City's busiest neighborhoods last weekend, and police Monday were hunting for the suspected killer.

This undated photo provided by the New York Red Bulls shows Michael Jones, 25, originally from Liverpool, England, who was fatally slashed in the neck and torso and had his ear cut off early Sunday morning, on a New York City street, near Union Square.

Michael Jones, 25, was seen arguing with a man about 4:30 a.m. Sunday in the city's popular Union Square.

Jones had earlier been out with his girlfriend, but they parted around midnight, police said. Police called to the bloody scene found Jones lying on the street. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Late on Sunday, police released surveillance footage of the suspected slasher, a man with a ponytail wearing a dark jacket. No arrests have been made.

Jones, a native of Liverpool, England, was a coach with the New York Red Bulls football youth training program. The team released a statement calling Jones a "fantastic coach who loved soccer."

"This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's family at this time," the team said.

Featured Weekly Ad