Man Indicted In Stabbing At LI's Adventureland Amusement Park: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Shirley man was indicted in connection with a stabbing at Adventureland Amusement Park in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Wednesday.

Daniel Tomasky, 42, faces first-degree assault and other charges after he stabbed a man at the amusement park in early July, critically injuring him, authorities said.

"Our community deserves to feel safe in places open to the public, particularly those designed for families," Tierney said in a news release. "This indictment represents our commitment to upholding that safety. We will pursue this case diligently, guided by the facts and the law."

Around 4:45 p.m. July 7, members of Tomasky’s family got into a fight with members of the family of James Burns, 47, of Edgewater, Florida, while they were visiting Adventureland, officials said. Burns himself had not been involved in the altercation, the DA said.

Michael Brown, Tomasky's lawyer, said Tomasky "feared for his life" and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Tomasky stepped in to defend his wife during the fight, Brown told Patch. Brown said Tomasky's actions were a "clear case of self-defense."

"The individuals accusing Mr. Tomasky of wrongdoing engaged in mob mentality wherein they threatened his wife and child," Brown said. "Mr. Tomasky in the worst way tried to usher his family away from this hostile and violent group of people. But 5-6 adults, some with very extensive criminal histories, continued to aggressively and violently attack Mr. Tomasky and his wife. Clearly, he felt his life, as the lives of his wife and child, were in jeopardy. Mr. Tomasky is looking forward to his day in court."

Prosecutors said Tomasky pulled a knife from his waistband, charged at Burns, and then stabbed him. Numerous children saw the stabbing, officials said said.

Burns was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where he received surgery for his injuries, authorities said.

Shortly after the stabbing, Tomasky placed the knife used during the attack in a sewer drain near his vehicle, investigators said. He was then arrested at the scene by Suffolk County Police officers, officials said. Law enforcement later recovered a knife from the sewer, the DA said.

Tomasky was charged with one count of first-degree assault; one count of second-degree assault; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Tomasky was ordered held on $50K cash; $100K bond; or $500K partially-secured bond while his case pends. He is due back in court on Sept. 3.