Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of MOISES CORONADO, 27, FERNEYS HORTA, 33, and ANTHONY NAVAS, 27, for their roles in fatally stabbing 24-year-old Dafren Canizalez at a Randall’s Island migrant shelter. The defendants are each charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Gang Assault in the First Degree. CORONADO is also charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. [1]

“As alleged, Dafren Canizalez was brutally killed in an attack by a group, who trapped and chased him until he collapsed,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Everyone who comes into our city deserves to be safe, and we will continue to hold those who commit serious acts of violence accountable.”  

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, Dafren Canizalez and the defendants were all staying at a migrant shelter on Randall’s Island. In the cafeteria of the shelter, on January 6, 2024, at approximately 7:26 p.m., CORONADO argued with Mr. Canizalez over comments. CORONADO left to get a knife and returned to the cafeteria with his friends HORTA and NAVAS, each carrying a knife in their pocket, looking for Mr. Canizalez.  

When they found Mr. Canizalez, the men surrounded him. Mr. Canizalez punched CORONADO in the face and the men started chasing him out of the cafeteria, with knives in their hands, until he was eventually blocked by a closed door. As the men surrounded him again, CORONADO stabbed Mr. Canizalez multiple times, including in the hand and the fatal stab wound to his chest. The men continued chasing him until he eventually collapsed.   

CORONADO was arrested at the scene and officers recovered a knife from his pocket. HORTA and NAVAS were arrested two days later.  

Assistant D.A.s Pierre Griffith (Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit) and Kristen Tierney (Trial Bureau 30) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Christopher Prevost (Chief of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analysts Jhon De La Cruz Paulino and Patrick Sullivan, Senior Rackets Investigators Evelin Gutierrez and Jose Morales, and members of the Witness Aid Services Unit (WASU) are providing valuable assistance.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, especially Detective Gerasimos Pyramides of the 25th Precinct Detective Squad and the Manhattan North Homicide Squad.  

Defendant Information:

MOISES CORONADO

Manhattan, New York

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Gang Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

 

FERNEYS HORTA

Manhattan, New York

Charged:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Gang Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

 

ANTHONY NAVAS

Manhattan, New York

Charged:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Gang Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count 

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[1]   The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are 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.