Man arrested after stabbing 65-year-old in church basement in Amityville

Around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, a dispute turned violent in the basement of First United Methodist Church in Amityville, where a 33-year-old man attacked a 65-year-old participant, stabbing him in the neck. The assailant, identified as Daniel Escobar of Bay Shore, fled the premises but was located by police shortly after 10:20 p.m. and arrested. The victim was rushed to a local hospital and listed in serious condition.

Escobar was brought before Suffolk County court the following day, where he faced a first-degree assault charge and was ordered to remain detained on $150,000 cash bail or a $300,000 bond. Authorities have not released details about the disagreement that led to the stabbing or the specific type of meeting being held at the church, which hosts various community groups.