Man Charged With Murder In Friend's Stabbing Death Near Suffolk Deli

COPIAGUE, NY — A 29-year-old was charged with murder in court Friday after prosecutors said fatally stabbed his friend to death following a fight outside a Copiague deli.

Gherson Lopez, of Copiague, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Jose Argueta-Canales, before Judge Richard Ambro, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Friday.

On May 15, Lopez and Argueta-Canales were smoking outside a Copiague deli when they got in a verbal altercation, according to the investigation.

The altercation turned physical, and the fight ended when Lopez complained that he hurt his hand during the scuffle, prosecutors said, adding that the two then shook hands.

Lopez and Argueta-Canales sat down on a bench near the deli and began eating. The two men continued to have words, and Lopez stood over the Argueta-Canales and stabbed him in the chest twice with a silver knife, prosecutors said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

“This defendant cowardly shook hands with the victim, assuring him that they were still friends, before allegedly fatally stabbing him,” said Tierney. “Violence like this will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. We will do everything we can to seek justice for Jose Argueta-Canales and his family.”

Judge Ambro ordered Lopez to be held without bail during the pendency of the case.

He is due back in court on June 30.

Patch has reached out to Christopher Gieo, Lopez's attorney, for comment