Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge In Suffolk Pizzeria Stabbing: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A man faces a second-degree attempted murder charge after he stabbed his co-worker while on the job at a Nesconset pizzeria, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Friday.

Paul Albinagorta, 34, of Central Islip, was accused of stabbing his co-worker, a 60-year-old man, at Gino’s of Nesconset, Tierney said.

"This defendant allegedly committed a shocking act of workplace violence, attacking an unsuspecting worker from behind during a routine moment of food preparation," Tierney said in a news release. "My office will work diligently to ensure that the victim and public are protected from further violence."

Around 11 a.m. Nov. 24, Albinagorta, an employee of Gino’s of Nesconset, stabbed a co-worker with a hunting knife as the employee was preparing a pizza, investigators said. Albinagorta approached the co-worker from behind and, without warning, stabbed him in his side multiple times, prosecutors said.

Albinagorta then chased the man he stabbed, as well as several other co-workers, out of the store while threatening them, authorities said. Albinagorta was arrested at the pizzeria, officials said. Suffolk police officers recovered the knife prosecutors say was used in the attack, along with a sheath for the knife.

The victim was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery for his injuries, the DA said.

The night before the attack, Albinagorta went to the Walmart in Islandia and purchased the knife used in the stabbing, investigators said.

Albinagorta was charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder; one count of first-degree assault; one count of second-degree assault; and one count of second-degree menacing.

Albinagorta was ordered held on $250K cash, $500K bond, or $2.5M partially secured bond while his case his heard.

Albinagorta is due back in court on Jan. 7. He faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Ira Weissman.