Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of SAUL SANCHEZ, 62, for brutally stabbing two men, one of them fatally, during an altercation in East Harlem. SANCHEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. [1]
“Saul Sanchez’s alleged conduct caused the senseless death of a 17-year-old boy and a horrific tragedy for that boy’s loved ones. I want to be clear that we have no tolerance for violence on our streets or in our neighborhoods, and will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold people accountable when they commit this type of violence,” said District Attorney Bragg.
According to court documents and statements made on the record, on January 3, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., SANCHEZ was ordering food inside 2102 2nd Avenue. An altercation began inside involving SANCHEZ, 17-year-old Carlos Rivas and a 22-year-old friend, which continued onto the street. SANCHEZ began stabbing Mr. Rivas, knocked him to the ground and got on top of him.
SANCHEZ stabbed Mr. Rivas once in the chest and once in the stomach. His friend threw a chair at SANCHEZ’s head to try and stop the attack. SANCHEZ stabbed him once in the arm, and then turned to go back to Mr. Rivas, who collapsed on the ground. SANCHEZ then fled the scene, only to return about 15 minutes later. He was subsequently arrested.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A.s Christine Keenan and Christina Awad, under the Supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Paralegal Troy McLean is also assisting with the case.
D.A. Bragg thanked Det. Percy Quispe, Det. Karlina Cortes and other members of the NYPD’s 23rd precinct.
Defendant Information:
SAUL SANCHEZ
New York, New York
Charged:
- Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D 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.