Penn Station stabbing suspect was previously sentenced for slashing man
· Toronto Sun
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The man accused of a stabbing spree Sunday night at New York City’s Penn Station had previously been arrested following a similar attack in New Jersey.
Hector Deleon, 51, allegedly slashed five people Sunday night at the busy commuter hub, just a day before thousands of basketball fans were expected at Game 3 of the NBA finals at the nearby Madison Square Garden.
All the victims were men over the age of 30 and believed to be innocent bystanders. One was seriously wounded, two had moderate injuries, and two others sustained minor injuries.
One was slashed on his cheek, while another man had cuts on his neck.
Amtrak police quickly arrested Deleon, who the New York Post reported, citing police sources, appeared to be high on drugs.
During his arrest, the accused stabber reportedly fought with officers and had to be sedated for him to be taken to a local hospital in an ambulance, law-enforcement sources told the tabloid.
As of Monday afternoon, Deleon remained hospitalized and had not been charged.
Past charges
The homeless man has had several run-ins with the law, according to court records obtained by the Post .
He was reportedly arrested in 2022 for stabbing a man in the neck with six-inch blade in Newark, N.J., and was sentenced to two years of probation after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The victim needed nine stitches to close the wound on the left side of his neck, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Post .
Deleon has reportedly been arrested at least seven times, and has been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, use or possession of drugs, assault, domestic assault and criminal mischief.
Two weeks before the Penn Station attack, he was arrested in Long Branch, N.J., for theft and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.