Two people were injured in a broad daylight confrontation outside a Broadway market that prosecutors say escalated into a violent blade attack.
QUEENS, NY – A Woodside man has been indicted on multiple felony charges after allegedly slashing two people with a boxcutter outside a fish market in Astoria, an incident that prosecutors say left one victim with a deep facial wound and another narrowly avoiding serious injury.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Antonio Quinones, 35, was arraigned yesterday on a four-count indictment charging him with assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. If convicted, Quinones faces up to 25 years in prison. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered him to return to court on June 9.
Details of the March 2 confrontation
According to the indictment and investigation, the incident unfolded on March 2 at approximately 4:20 p.m. inside the Broadway Deli & Grill in Astoria. Quinones allegedly began arguing with a 54-year-old man and stepped on the man’s shoe before both individuals moved outside, where the dispute continued.
Prosecutors said Quinones then kicked the man’s motorized scooter, which was parked outside a neighboring fish market, and threw a cup of coffee on it. He allegedly pulled out a sharp blade and swung it multiple times, piercing the victim’s jacket on both the body and sleeve. The man was able to push Quinones away and flee on his scooter.
Moments later, Quinones allegedly confronted a second victim, a 29-year-old woman, and slashed her across the face, causing a deep laceration. He then fled the scene before being apprehended a short time later by NYPD officers.
Charges and prosecution
“As alleged, this defendant took out a boxcutter and attacked two people outside an Astoria market. He slashed the coat of a 54-year-old man with whom he had a verbal argument and then cut a 29-year-old woman’s face causing a deep laceration,” said District Attorney Katz. “A grand jury has now returned serious charges against the defendant who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dylan Nesturrick of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Whitney, Roni C. Piplani, and Timothy Regan, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.
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