18-Year-Old Arrested After Selden Parking Lot Stabbing, Victim Hospitalized

An 18-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stabbing a 19-year-old male in the parking lot of the College Plaza Shopping Center, 949 Middle Country Road in Selden, Suffolk County Police said. The incident happened around 11 p.m. on Wednesday; a friend drove the victim to an area hospital where he was listed in serious but stable condition, authorities said.

Suffolk County detectives identified the suspect as Richard Torres, 18, of Middle Island. Police say Torres fled the scene in a 2015 Nissan sedan after the altercation. A short time later, Sixth Precinct officers located the Nissan in Coram, initiated a traffic stop and took Torres into custody, police said.

Sixth Squad detectives charged Torres with second-degree assault. He was being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned at the First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday, Feb. 19, according to the police timeline released after the arrest. Police have not released the name of the hospital where the victim was treated.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652. Suffolk County Police have not released details about any weapon recovery or a motive for the dispute.

Local reaction was swift on social media after a LongIsland.com post about the arrest. That post drew wide engagement with 206 reactions, 190 comments and 45 shares. Public comments included Tony Russo saying, "This is happening across all towns on Long Island. Sad that it happened in our back yard. At least they caught the kid and got him off the streets," Carolyn Anderson noting, "There's where I grocery shop. No worse than other shopping centers if you're there doing some shady shit. None of those stores are open at 11pm," and LI BOY writing, "So sad. Praying for the suspect and the victim."

The College Plaza Shopping Center at 949 Middle Country Road is a hub for late-night traffic in Selden; police did not provide whether shopping center management or nearby businesses captured surveillance footage. Investigators at the Sixth Precinct are pursuing leads and asking witnesses to call 631-854-8652 with tips that could help clarify how the dispute escalated and whether other charges will be filed.