East hempfield township man charged with deadly stabbing of woman in november

LANCASTER, PA — A 49-year-old East Hempfield Township man accused of fatally stabbing a woman and seriously injuring her brother during a violent altercation earlier this month will face trial in Lancaster County Court, officials said.

Benjamin Garcia Gual, of the 2600 block of Scenic Drive, waived his preliminary hearing on charges including criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person.

The incident occurred on November 3 at approximately 1:40 p.m. at a residence in the 2900 block of Dell Lane in Lancaster. Police found siblings Carmen and Luis Martinez-Silva with multiple stab wounds. Carmen Martinez-Silva succumbed to her injuries at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, while Luis Martinez-Silva survived with stab wounds to his skull, chest, abdomen, and left arm.

Investigators said the attack stemmed from Garcia Gual’s anger over Carmen Martinez-Silva’s recent haircut, which had led him to issue threats. Witnesses told police Carmen had stayed at the Dell Lane residence the night before out of fear of Garcia Gual, with whom she was in a romantic relationship.

The violence unfolded when Garcia Gual arrived at the residence and began stabbing Luis Martinez-Silva. Carmen attempted to intervene but was fatally attacked. Police said Garcia Gual also swung his knife at two other individuals at the scene but missed.

Garcia Gual was found inside a vehicle at the scene, holding a kitchen knife. He remains in custody and awaits trial in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.

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