By Nathan Duke
Police arrested a 30-year-old Queens Village man last weekend after he allegedly fatally stabbed a 40-year-old man from the neighborhood and injured two others during a dispute near his house, the Queens district attorney said.
Benjamin Dunn, of 110-34 207th St. in Queens Village, was charged Sunday with manslaughter, two counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon in the stabbing of Henry Frasier, 40, who lived on 216th Street in Queens Village, outside his cousin's home on 207th Street, Queens DA Richard Brown said. The dispute, which took place around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, had begun over a basketball game on television, police said.
Dunn, who lives a few doors down from the crime scene, is accused of stabbing Frasier repeatedly in the chest with a knife as well as slicing the arms and shoulders of a 31-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, the DA said.
Frasier was taken to Mary Immaculate Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, while the other victims were taken to Long Island Jewish Hospital, where they were treated for cuts and released, Brown said. One of the victims will require further medical attention to determine whether he has permanent nerve damage stemming from his injuries, according to the criminal complaint.
Douglas Grooms, who lives near the home where the fight took place, said he has lived at 207th Street for nearly 40 years and knew the victim well.
“He was a good guy,” he said. “I grew up with him. This is a nice block. People just get crazy sometimes.”
Grooms said Saturday's loud fight spilled into the street. He said he saw the defendant stab one of the victims.
“I never liked the guy,” he said of the defendant. “I hope he gets 50 years.”
If convicted, Dunn could face up to 25 years in prison, a spokeswoman for the DA said. Dunn was remanded without bail and will return to court on May 16, she said.
The New York Post reported that Frasier was a Gulf War veteran.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
