Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the indictment of HOSAMELDIN ISMAIL, 34, for stabbing his 55-year-old roommate Maximito Polanco-Parra 47 times in an anti-Hispanic attack, killing him. ISMAIL is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and one count of Murder in the Second Degree.[1]
“As alleged, Maximito Polanco-Parra was blatantly targeted because of his race in this jarring, violent attack,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I join the family and friends of Mr. Polanco-Parra in mourning the loss of their loved one.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, ISMAIL had been renting a room in the same apartment shared by Mr. Polanco-Parra and others for approximately one month. On May 30, 2023, at approximately 4 p.m., Mr. Polanco-Parra returned home to the Inwood apartment on Arden Street between Nagle and Sherman Avenues. A few minutes later, ISMAIL, unprovoked, came from behind and stabbed Mr. Polanco-Parra 47 times in his head, neck, and chest.
ISMAIL attempted to flee but was apprehended by NYPD officers outside the apartment building. Officers recovered several kitchen knives from ISMAIL.
Paramedics responded and Mr. Polanco-Parra was pronounced dead at the scene.
Assistant D.A.s Chloe Kendall (Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Unit) and Sydney Taylor are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Heather Buchanan (Chief of the Child Abuse Unit) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Maria McEnroe, former Investigative Analyst Maya King, and Trial Preparation Assistant Ryan Dyke assisted with the investigation. The Witness Aid Services Unit is providing valuable support.
D.A. Bragg thanked the members of the NYPD 34th precinct Detective Squad, particularly Detective Namely Holguin, and the Manhattan North Homicide Squad.
Defendant Information:
HOSAMELDIN ISMAIL
New York, New York
Charged:
- Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class A-I felony, two counts
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.
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