Gelber Lopez Perez, of Riverhead, was arraigned in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, June 15, on second-degree murder charges against 26-year-old Tony Fernando Alvarado Ajcuc.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Lopez Perez was shot at Grangabel Park in Riverhead at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. ) got into an argument with one of his two friends.
During their argument, Ajcuc walked up to the group and asked why they were fighting, leading to a physical altercation between him and Lopez Perez.
Later, as Ajcuc left and crossed nearby Nugent Drive, witnesses saw Lopez Perez chasing him into a traffic circle.
There, prosecutors allege Lopez Perez punched Ajcuc in the head and neck, knocking him to the ground. He allegedly stabbed Ajcuc with the knife while the victim was lying in a defensive position.
Ajcuc was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Lopez Perez reportedly fled the scene after learning police were on their way. Police found him nearby after a witness provided them with a photo about half an hour later.
Police also found a knife in his belt that appeared to have blood on it, prosecutors said.
“The alleged actions of this defendant demonstrate a callousness to human life,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
“This fatal stabbing occurred on a busy day just a stone’s throw from Riverhead Court. This type of alleged crime is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Suffolk.”
At Thursday’s arraignment, a Suffolk county judge ordered Lopez Perez to be held without bail while his case moves forward.
He will return to court on Monday, July 31. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
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