1760 Third Avenue (Google Maps)
A verbal confrontation led to a fatal stabbing outside of a Third Avenue migrant center this weekend.
The incident took place at approximately 4:02 a.m. on Sunday outside of 1760 Third Avenue (between 97th and 98th streets) when 30-year-old Oscar Gonzalez stabbed 29-year-old Argeyeris Martinez in the chest. Both men had been residents of the building.
NYPD officials say Martinez was pronounced dead after being rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital / St. Luke’s.
One witness told the Daily News that the argument began after Martinez broke Gonzalez’s car window. “The guy came out of the car and stabbed him. [The victim] was standing and then … he fell forward.”
At 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, Gonzalez was arrested on charges of Murder and Aggravated Criminal Possession of a Weapon.
According to NYPD statistics, this was the third homicide within the confines of the 23rd Precinct this year.
Mayor Adams announced last year that the building, previously used as student housing for Hunter College and Baruch College, would house more than 500 migrant families. However, as noted by the NY Post, it is unclear whether either of these men had children residing there.
Was this building constructed years ago with the backing of the state Dormitory Authority?
I thought that the right to shelter law was to help suddenly homeless New Yorkers. How did we as NYC residents and tax payers suddenly become financially responsible for housing, feeding and supporting anyone and everyone from the entire world? Where are our elected officials on this and why are they allowing us to bear this ridiculous and untenable financial burden? This is not what millions of us signed up for. Do I support immigration? Yes. For those who follow and respect our immigration laws. But I cannot condone providing an unlimited safety net for people who chose not to respect this country’s laws and then commit crimes once they get here.