NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A man was charged with murder after allegedly fatally slashing a 72-year-old man in Harlem in an unprovoked New Year’s Day attack, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.
Darnell Jackson, 39, was indicted with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.
“We allege that Darnell Jackson, without any provocation, brutally slashed a 72-year-old man on the street,” Bragg said. “A New Year’s trip to the deli should never end in death, and we will continue to hold anyone who commits violence accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, on Jan. 1, at around 3:40 a.m., Jackson was standing at a deli on the corner of Lenox Ave. and W. 137th St.
The victim, Alfredo Cortes, an Air Force veteran, was walking with a cane, briefly entered and exited the deli as Jackson spoke to other people outside, according to prosecutors.
Cortes began walking away from the deli without interacting with Jackson.
Jackson then allegedly said something towards Cortes and he stopped walking, according to prosecutors. The suspect then allegedly approached Cortes and knocked him to the ground and slashed him in the neck, which left a 12-inch laceration.
Cortes got up and walked back towards the deli before collapsing on the ground. He was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
Approximately one hour after the incident, Jackson turned himself in.