Upper East Side stabbing not random, suspect in custody: Reports

A 19-year-old man is in custody following an early morning stabbing on the Upper East Side that left one person dead, reports said.

The suspect, Gustavo Rodriguez, was walking his girlfriend home when he was confronted by her ex-boyfriend, 22-year-old Xavier Olivares, according toCBS2. The two reportedly have a 2-year-old child together.

An argument between the men allegedly turned violent when Olivares was stabbed multiple times in the chest.

The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. at the intersection of Third Avenue and 94th Street.

CBS2 reported that afterRodriguez ran southbound down Third Avenue, thewoman stayed with Olivares and hailed a cab to Metropolitan Hospital, where Olivares later died from his injuries.

At the hospital, the woman told police that the attack was random and thatOlivares was her boyfriend, ABC7 reported.

However, detectives reviewed surveillance video and determinedwhat really happened. Awitness told detectives that the dispute started when Olivares put his hand on the woman, ABC7 reported.

P.S. 198 is located across the street from the scene and the principal, Nancy Cabrero, told CBS2 that the incident was “too close for comfort.”

“I have fifth graders and fourth graders that are coming to school by themselves,” she said,
“and they should be able to feel safe walking to their community school.”