Police arrested 47-year-old Antonio Martinez on Wednesday in connection with the stabbing death of a 22-year-old man in Corona.
Officers from the 115th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a man stabbed outside of a baby christening party in the vicinity of 37th Avenue and 97th Street at 12:38 a.m. on Sept. 29.
Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered 22-year-old Corona man Roque Alvarez Montes, unconscious and unresponsive, with multiple stab wounds to the chin, back and left arm, according to authorities.
EMS responded to the scene and rushed Alvarez Montes to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, where he was pronounced dead.
Cops arrested Martinez, of 98th Street in Corona, on Oct. 9 and he was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Jeffrey Gershuny on a complaint charging him with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Judge Gershuny remanded Martinez and set his return date for Nov. 18. If convicted, Martinez faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“The defendant allegedly ended a joyous occasion — a baby christening — with a brutal slaying. This is a senseless act of violence,” Acting District Attorney John M. Ryan said. “The defendant is now in custody and if convicted faces spending the rest of his life incarcerated.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office.
