Coach at Wake Forest Is Arrested After Punch Leads to Man’s Death in Queens

NEW YORK — An assistant basketball coach at Wake Forest University was arrested Thursday in New York City after a man the police say he punched in Queens over the weekend died of his injuries.

The victim, Sandor Szabo, 35, of Florida, fell onto the pavement and lost consciousness after he was punched in the face during a confrontation just after 1 a.m. Sunday in Long Island City, the police said. After Szabo fell, security footage showed his attacker walking away, and the police said he left the scene in a white sport utility vehicle. Szabo was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He died Tuesday afternoon.

The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the investigation, reported that Szabo might have been banging on car windows just before the confrontation.

The man who was arrested, Jamill Jones, 35, who lives Kernersville, North Carolina, surrendered on Thursday to face a charge of misdemeanor assault. Jones pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance, said Alain Massena, his lawyer.

The investigation was continuing, and there could be additional charges as a result of the death.

Szabo, who lived in Boca Raton, Florida, was the vice president for sales at What If Media Group, a small digital media company. Josh Gillon, the company’s chief executive, said Szabo was visiting New Jersey for a business conference, and on Saturday night he had gone to Queens to attend his stepsister’s wedding.

The company was “devastated” by Szabo’s death, Gillon said.

In a statement Wednesday, What If Media Group said that Szabo was “a well-known and respected leader in the digital marketing industry.”

“Sandor was super outgoing, friendly, and an incredibly smart businessman,” the statement said. “He was always upbeat, positive, kind and caring. He was fun to be with, interesting, and always interested. He was a really good person.”

In May 2017, Jones, who is from Philadelphia, became an assistant to Danny Manning, the head men’s basketball coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. “He is a well-respected bright mind in our profession,” Manning said in a statement at the time.

On Thursday, Wake Forest Athletic Communications said in an emailed statement that it had “just been made aware of this matter” and was still “gathering information.”

A statement from the Jones family, provided by Massena, offered condolences to the Szabo family.

“It is our sincere hope that this matter not be tried in the court of public opinion,” it added. “The Jones family stands by Jamill, and his legal right to be presumed innocent in what is, ultimately, a tragic incident. Jamill Jones is a wonderful son and father — a good-hearted man who protects his loved ones from harm.”