Amityville man arrested for stabbing victim in church basement

Daniel Escobar, 33, of Bay Shore, was arrested and charged with first-degree assault following a stabbing at the First United Methodist Church in Amityville on Friday night.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the church basement during a meeting. According to Suffolk County police, Escobar allegedly stabbed a 65-year-old man in the neck. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, though his current condition has not been released.

Escobar fled the scene but was apprehended by authorities approximately two hours later on Ackerson Boulevard in Bay Shore. During his arraignment in Central Islip’s First District Court, Escobar pleaded not guilty. Judge Mary Catherine Mullen set bail at $150,000 cash or a $300,000 bond.

While the exact nature of the meeting has not been officially confirmed by police, Escobar’s attorney, Danielle Papa, indicated she believes the gathering was a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. The motive for the confrontation remains unclear.