The homeless man who was arrested for stabbing and killing a Riverhead man at the Riverside traffic circle was indicted today for second-degree murder, a class A violent felony, according to District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Gelber Lopez-Perez, 20, undomiciled of Riverhead, was arrested after an investigation of the stabbing, which took place at about 3:25 p.m. near Woodhull Avenue west of the Riverside traffic circle, Southampton Town Police said in a press release announcing his arrest on June 6.
MORE COVERAGE: Cops: Homeless man, 20, charged with murder in stabbing death of another man near Riverside traffic circle Tuesday afternoon
“The alleged actions of this defendant showed a callous disregard for a human life,” Tierney said in a press release. “This fatal stabbing happened in the middle of a busy day just a stone’s throw from the Riverhead courthouse. This alleged crime is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”
According to the district attorney, Lopez-Perez was in an argument with one of his two friends in Grangebel Park in Riverhead when he was approached by the victim, Tony Fernando Alvarado Ajcuc, 26, of Riverhead, who asked why they were arguing.
Lopez-Perez and Alvarado Ajcuc got into a physical altercation, according to the district attorney. After the altercation, Alverado Ajcuc left the park on foot and crossed four lanes of traffic on Nugent Drive headed toward a nearby traffic circle. Witnesses observed Lopez-Perez run after the victim across Nugent Drive, and then allegedly punch him in the head and neck, causing the victim to fall to the ground, according to the district attorney. Lopez-Perez then jabbed at and stabbed the victim with a knife as the victim laid on the ground in a defensive posture, the district attorney said.
When Lopez-Perez learned the police were on the way, he fled toward the park. Police were provided a photo of Lopez-Perez by a witness. Alverado Ajcuc was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Less than a half hour later, police found and arrested Lopez-Perez near Court Street and Griffing Avenue. Police also recovered a knife with what appeared to be blood stains from Lopez-Perez’s waistband, according to the district attorney.
Lopez-Perez was arraigned by County Court Judge Stephen Braslow, who ordered Lopez Perez to be held without bail during the pendency of the case. If convicted, Lopez-Perez faces 25 years to life in prison, according to the district attorney.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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