Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Gelber Lopez Perez, 20, of Riverhead, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. The sentencing follows his guilty plea to Manslaughter in the First Degree for the fatal stabbing of Tony Fernando Alvarado Ajcuc, 26, also of Riverhead.
“This defendant took a life in a brazen act of violence that occurred in full view of our community. Violence like this is unacceptable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, and we hope that this resolution brings them some measure of closure.”
The incident occurred on June 6, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., when Lopez Perez was arguing with a friend in Grangabel Park in Riverhead. When the victim arrived and questioned them about their argument, he and Lopez Perez engaged in a physical altercation. Afterward, the victim left the park on foot and crossed Nugent Drive towards a nearby traffic circle.
Lopez Perez pursued him, knocked him to the ground, and stabbed him while he lay defensively on the ground before fleeing back toward the park. An eyewitness captured a photograph of Lopez Perez running from the scene and provided it to police. The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Less than half an hour later, police apprehended Lopez Perez near Court Street and Griffing Avenue. They recovered a knife with blood stains from his waistband.
On June 27, 2024, Lopez Perez pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Stephen L. Braslow. Judge Braslow subsequently sentenced him on September 10, 2024.
Ian Fitzgerald represented Lopez Perez during this case. Assistant District Attorney Sheetal Shetty from the Homicide Bureau prosecuted it while Suffolk County Police Department Detective Michael Ronca conducted the investigation.