Teenager stabbed to death in East Harlem, community mourns loss
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NEW YORK (PIX11) – A violent incident in East Harlem has left one teenager dead and two others injured, prompting local residents to call for unity and reflection as the community grieves.
The stabbing occurred on Friday night near East 108th Street and Second Avenue, claiming the life of 17-year-old Carlos Rivas.
According to police reports, Rivas suffered stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. Two other victims, a 22-year-old man who was stabbed in the left arm and a 62-year-old man with a forehead laceration, were taken to nearby hospitals and are in stable condition.
"It's really unfortunate. The loss of life of anyone is never really a good thing. It's always a sad thing to hear,” said Robert Tarleton, a 38-year-old lifelong Harlem resident.
Local businesses, including K Street Food, have provided police with their surveillance footage but have refrained from making public statements about the incident.
Some neighbors suggest the stabbing may have been motivated by personal conflict.
One resident remarked, "That's a personal thing to me because, with a stabbing, you have to have rage and thought and be up close and personal."
Tarleton emphasized the importance of community involvement in preventing such tragedies, "I just think it really goes back to community, you know, us really being on one accord as a community and holding everybody accountable."
Another community member expressed their distress, "That's devastating. Every time you hear something like this, it becomes like a dystopian society in a sense. It's tragic to think a young teenager lost his life; he hasn't even started anything as of yet."
As the community reflects on the broader implications of this incident, Tarleton offered words of comfort to the grieving family.
"My condolences to the family. I'm wishing them well, and I know that God loves them and that God is gonna continue to cover them through this difficult time," he added.
Saul Sanchez, the 62-year-old, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation. He faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.