A Westchester soccer coach who works with the New York Red Bulls was killed in a grisly stabbing in the West Village early today that left his severed ear in a pool of blood on a 14th Street sidewalk.
Michael Jones, 25, of West Harrison was found on 14th Street near 5th Avenue about 4:25 a.m. with multiple stab wounds to the head, neck and chest, cops said.
Jones was rushed to Bellevue but was DOA. Cops at the scene covered his severed ear with a plastic cup.
“It was a frenzy. The guy was chopped multiple times,” a law-enforcement source told The Post. “He cut the guy’s ear off. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.”
Sources said a video showed Jones walking with his assailant down 14th Street near Union Square when the pair got into an argument and the man attacked.
The victim had been visiting a friend in the neighborhood until about midnight, when they parted ways.
Cops were trying to determine a motive but don’t believe the gory attack came during a robbery, as a blood-covered iPhone they think belonged to the victim was found nearby.
Drew Fountain, 25, a desk worker at the nearby Clay Health Club + Spa, showed up to work this morning and was turned away by cops because of the investigation.
“I went to work and saw a puddle of blood right outside the front door. It was just bizarre,” Fountain said.
Malachi Mohamed, 39, was down the block near a parked FDNY ambulance.
“I ran down to the ambulance and said, ‘You’d better get down there. There’s a guy on the ground with his throat cut.’ The ambulance made a U turn right away,” he said.
Sarah Cohen, 22, a chef, lives in neighborhood.
“It’s horrible. I’ve been living here my whole life. It’s residential area; people are starting families here. There are religious institutions. How are we supposed to have all that if we can’t keep residents safe?”
The Red Bulls in a statement today called Jones a dedicated soccer fan and beloved friend. Jones coached kids 7-to-14 before they entered the Red Bulls academy.
“We are aware of this tragedy and on behalf of the entire organization, want to send our most heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends and loved ones. He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us.
“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.”
Police are searching for the suspect and have released a video to help find him:
WRITTEN BY JESSICA SIMEONE, REUVEN FENTON and BOB FREDERICKS & FULL STORY HERE
