Alleged MS-13 Member Stabbed 2 Men In Their Eyes In 'Brutal Acts': Suffolk DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — An alleged MS-13 gang member was indicted after he stabbed two men in their eyes in Huntington Station, causing them permanent eye injuries, on Dec. 4, Suffolk County Raymond Tierney said Tuesday.

Gensel Soler Avila, 21, of Huntington Station, was charged with four counts of first-degree assault and other related charges, the DA said.

"These alleged brutal acts, which resulted in the permanent loss of vision for the victims, are a stark reminder of the senseless violence that torments our communities," Tierney said in a news release. "The allegations against this individual, including that he is an MS-13 gang member, are deeply troubling. Our office is committed to seeking justice for the victims and ensuring that those who perpetrate such heinous acts are held accountable."

Soler Avila has pleaded not guilty, said his lawyer, Joseph Hanshe.

"Gensel Soler Avila, he claims, and it is his position, that he was attacked out of the bar that evening by two people," Hanshe told Patch. "He was responding to that attack. That's his position. I have not seen any of the evidence that the DA has made so far. That might change eventually as we go forward. But right now, it seems like it was self-defense, so to speak. He indicates that it was self-defense. When he came out, he was attacked by two people, and he responded appropriately."

Around 11:45 p.m. Dec. 4, Soler Avila got into a fight with another man at a bar in Huntington Station, prosecutors said. When the man tried to run away, Soler Avila chased him into the middle of the intersection of Pulaski Road and New York Avenue and knocked him to the ground, authorities said. Soler Avila then beat the man's face and body with a sharp object and stabbed him numerous times, including in his eye, investigators said.

The man bled heavily and fainted in the middle of the road, officials said. The man was found lying unconscious in the street by law enforcement, the DA said.

While Soler Avila was walking away from the first victim, he attacked a second man by punching him numerous times while holding a sharp object, prosecutors said. Soler Avila caused a stab wound that began at the man's forehead and dragged down to his eye, causing it to bleed heavily, investigators said.

Both victims were brought to Huntington Hospital but required specialized surgery and were transferred to North Shore University Hospital, officials said. The victims each suffered permanent loss of vision in one of their eyes in addition to several other serious injuries, including cuts to the chest and face, the DA said.

The first victim required the insertion of a prosthetic skull and over 50 staples to his head, authorities said.

Soler Avila was arraigned Tuesday on the following charges: four counts of first-degree assault, four counts of second-degree assault, and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Soler Avila was ordered held on $500K cash, $1 million bond, or $3 million partially-secured bond while his case pends. Soler Avila is due back in court on July 24.