Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Antonio Quinones was arraigned on two counts of assault in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon and other crimes for attacking two victims with a sharp blade outside of a fish market on Broadway in Astoria on Monday. One of the victims suffered a deep laceration to the face.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, a knife-wielding defendant went on a rampage outside a local market in Astoria. Antonio Quinones first caused a disturbance inside a nearby deli and then allegedly attempted to stab a 54-year-old patron outside a neighboring fish market. He is also accused of slashing a 29-year-old woman across the face causing a deep laceration. Thanks to our partners in the NYPD, this defendant was quickly apprehended after the incidents. We will hold the defendant accountable for these senseless attacks.”

Quinones, 36, of Woodside, was arraigned and held on $150,000 cash bail today on charges of two counts of assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Queens Criminal Court Judge Lana Schlesigner ordered the defendant to return to court on March 6. If convicted, Quinones faces up to 25 years in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges, on March 2, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Quinones was inside the Broadway Deli & Grill in Astoria when he began arguing with another patron. The defendant then left the store and kicked a scooter that belonged to the patron and was parked outside the fish market next door. The two began to verbally argue and Quinones allegedly took out a sharp blade and swung at the victim several times. One of the blade swings pierced the victim’s jacket on the body and on the sleeve. The victim then backed away.

The defendant then charged at a second victim, a 29-year-old woman, and slashed her across the face with the blade. Quinones fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later by members of the NYPD.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Licciardello of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Whitney, Bureau Chief, Roni C. Piplani and Timothy Regan, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.