An 83-year-old man identified as Ramon Cintron was fatally stabbed in Brooklyn, New York after winning the lottery.
Police have identified the suspect as 26-year-old Joevani Vale, who has been previously arrested for slashing a stranger in Brooklyn in 2020.
Vale allegedly punched and slashed two women on the same day before attacking and killing Cintron.
The incident has shaken the Brooklyn neighborhood, as Cintron was well-liked and known to be a kind and friendly person who worked at a local pharmacy until he was in his 70s. Victor Santiago, manager of Papa Firo Grocery, where Cintron often played the lottery, said the victim was like a grandfather to the neighborhood. Cintron’s family and neighbors are struggling to come to terms with the tragic news.
Vale was identified by police from surveillance footage in the area. The suspect and his victim lived in the same building, and investigators believe that Cintron’s murder was motivated by robbery, as his wallet was missing when he was found.
Vale has been arrested three times before, including for assault, possession of a weapon, and menacing. He has also been previously charged with public lewdness and forcible touching.
Vale turned himself in at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn on Monday for a psychiatric evaluation. A relative of Vale informed hospital staff that he was the man police were searching for in connection to both attacks. However, while Vale was in the hospital, he allegedly attacked a police officer on Wednesday night. Vale is accused of punching the officer in the face while the cop was escorting him to the bathroom.
Vale was arrested shortly after walking into the hospital on Monday, and sources said he appeared to be high.
Surveillance footage shows Vale entering the building where Cintron lived, disappearing for 11 minutes, and then returning to the lobby wearing different clothes. He is then seen entering the elevator with Cintron before allegedly stabbing and kicking him in the neck. Vale then fled the scene.
