A Long Island man is accused of stabbing a 65-year-old man in the neck during a meeting inside the basement of a Suffolk County church, police said.
Daniel Escobar, 33, of Bay Shore, allegedly attacked the victim during a confrontation at First United Methodist Church in Amityville at around 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Police said the two men became involved in a scuffle in the church basement before Escobar allegedly stabbed the older man in the neck and fled the scene.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not released his name or provided an updated condition.
Police quickly launched a search for Escobar and tracked him down a little less than two hours later.
He was taken into custody shortly after 10:20 p.m. Friday, according to authorities.
Escobar was seen being led from the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Precinct in handcuffs and leg shackles on Saturday before being taken to court.
He was arraigned on a charge of first-degree assault.
Judge Mary Catherine Mullen ordered Escobar held on $150,000 cash bail or $300,000 bond.
Police have not revealed what sparked the confrontation or what relationship, if any, existed between Escobar and the victim.
Authorities also have not said what type of meeting was taking place when the violence erupted.
First United Methodist Church hosts a variety of community groups and meetings at its Amityville location.
Escobar is scheduled to return to court Thursday as the case moves forward.
Maybe they would have to do security check before church activity