Nassau homicide detectives investigate 2 stabbings, with a suspect in custody, sources say

Nassau homicide detectives are investigating fatal stabbings at two Nassau County locations, and a suspect in the case was taken into custody early Friday morning, law enforcement and other sources told Newsday.

Law enforcement sources said a suspect, whose identity has not been released, was involved in a fatal stabbing at a Wendy’s on Austin Boulevard in Island Park just after midnight. The other crime scene is a residence on West Mineola Avenue in Valley Stream.

In a statement issued Friday, Nassau County police said: “The Homicide Squad reports two active investigations into incidents that occurred on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and Friday, May 1, 2026, in Island Park and Valley Stream. There is one suspect in custody who is involved in both incidents. The investigation is ongoing.”

Police later confirmed the cases appeared to be targeted and there was no continued threat to the public.

A law enforcement source said detectives learned of the Valley Stream incident, which appears to have taken place Thursday, after the apprehension of the still-unnamed suspect.

Nassau police declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino told Newsday the suspect asked a counter clerk at the 7-Eleven store at 169 Atlantic Ave. to call police headquarters on Friday and said responding officers arrested the man.

“He asked the clerk to call us and tell us he was ‘in distress and needs some help,’” Paladino said. “Our officers go there, make the arrest and turn him over to Nassau Homicide to investigate. It’s their case, we just made the arrest.”

On Friday afternoon, neighbors passed by the site in Valley Stream while police officers and detectives paced the street and went in and out of a gray house. A crime scene van was parked outside.

People interviewed in the neighborhood said they did not know those who lived in the house, which is near the Deeper Life World Outreach Ministries church. Church officials could not be reached for comment.

Morrisa Plesser, 69, of East Rockaway, said she works in the neighborhood and passed by while walking Friday afternoon.

"It's terrible. Everyone resorts to violence and there's no communication anymore," Plesser said. "I was taking a walk around the block and saw the crime scene. It makes me leery. Maybe I shouldn't be walking here, but this happens everywhere. You can't escape it."

Angela Bleuler, 58, said she has lived and worked in the neighborhood for years and was shocked at the crime scene in a usually quiet neighborhood.

"It’s very scary. It hits too close to home," Bleuler said. "For this to happen right here, I hope they figure out what happened."