Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of SAMARIA LOPEZ, 22, for fatally stabbing 22-year-old Jordin Walston in Midtown in June 2024. LOPEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. [1] 

“As alleged, Samaria Lopez brutally stabbed and took the life of Jordin Walston – a doting and beloved young mother,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This alleged conduct has devastated Ms. Walston’s family and loved ones and my thoughts remain with them in their ongoing grief.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on June 11, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., LOPEZ, unprovoked, approached and began a physical altercation with Ms. Walston near West 40th Street and 8th Avenue. During the altercation, LOPEZ punched Ms. Walston, removed a knife, and stabbed her in the torso, puncturing her aorta and causing her to fall on the ground. Ms. Walston was eventually transported to Bellevue Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

LOPEZ fled the scene and was arrested on June 14, 2024. 

Assistant D.A. Heather Pearson is handling the prosecution of this case with the assistance of Shanni Davidowitz, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Siobhan Carty (Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistants Declan Forte (Trial Bureau 80) and Andrea Cipriano (Trial Bureau 80), and Victim Services Advocate Alexandra Minaya (Survivor Services Bureau) are providing valuable assistance in this case. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Travis Duke of the Midtown South Detective Squad, Detective Steven Stiller of the Manhattan South Homicide Squad and Detective Brian Dobbins of the Manhattan Violent Felony Apprehension Unit.  

 

Defendant Information:

SAMARIA LOPEZ

Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

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[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.