New York City Police Department officers arrive at crime scene.

Prosecutors say a Queens man punched his elderly neighbor, then retrieved a weapon and fatally stabbed him outside their Astoria apartment building.

Queens, NY – A violent dispute between neighbors in Astoria ended in tragedy Tuesday afternoon when a 75-year-old man was stabbed to death outside his apartment building, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Dimitrios Manessis, 48, of Astoria, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the death of George Dourdounas.

Key Points

• Dimitrios Manessis, 48, is charged with the fatal stabbing of his 75-year-old neighbor
• Prosecutors say the attack occurred outside an Astoria apartment building Tuesday afternoon
• The defendant was apprehended at the scene and faces up to 25 years to life if convicted

Attack unfolded outside neighboring apartments

According to the criminal complaint, the violence erupted around 1:20 p.m. when Dourdounas entered the apartment building where both men lived.

Manessis was allegedly waiting outside his apartment when the victim arrived. Prosecutors say the defendant punched the elderly man, causing him to fall to the ground.

As the victim lay on the floor, Manessis allegedly entered his apartment, retrieved a sharp instrument, and returned to repeatedly stab the 75-year-old man.

Authorities say the defendant then went back inside his apartment while covered in blood.

Neighbor called 911 during the attack

A neighbor who entered the building during the incident called 911. Responding NYPD officers quickly arrived and took Manessis into custody at the scene.

Prosecutors said the two men had argued prior to the deadly confrontation, which allegedly escalated into the fatal attack.

Manessis was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Indira Khan, who ordered him remanded into custody. He is scheduled to return to court on March 9.

If convicted of the charges, the defendant faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the killing as a senseless act that has shaken the Astoria neighborhood.

Tags: astoria, queens crime, queens district attorney

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