Central american migrant pleads guilty to deadly 2023 stabbing outside copiague deli

Central American migrant pleads guilty to deadly 2023 stabbing outside Copiague deli

by
June 12, 2025
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HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — A Salvadoran national has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for a fatal stabbing that occurred outside a Copiague deli in 2023, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Wednesday.

Gherson Lopez, 29, admitted in court to fatally stabbing 34-year-old Jose Argueta-Canales on May 15, 2023. Lopez pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro.

According to the investigation, Lopez and the victim were smoking outside the deli when a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation. The fight initially ended after Lopez complained of hurting his hand, and both men shook hands. As Argueta-Canales sat on a nearby bench to eat, another exchange of words led Lopez to stand over him and stab him twice in the chest, causing his death.

“No legal outcome can bring back Mr. Argueta-Canales but now this defendant will be held accountable for his actions,” District Attorney Tierney said.

Sentencing scheduled for August

Lopez faces a sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. He is scheduled to return to court on August 13. Lopez is represented by attorney Christopher Gioe.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

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