Police: Merrick man stabbed 8-year-old five times

Updated: 2:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11.

A Merrick man was arrested for an attempted murder after stabbing an 8-year-old boy in the back, according to police.

Third Squad detectives said that Evan Sachs, 23, of Horatio Avenue, intentionally stabbed the boy five times with a black hunting knife at 8:25 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, while inside a Dave and Buster’s restaurant at 1504 Old Country Road in Westbury. The child, who was with his father at the time of the attack, was randomly chosen by the defendant and was unknown to him.

The attack "was random in that this particular boy was not selected because of who he is; he was selected because of his status as a young boy," said Detective Lt. Raymond Cote.

Sachs "didn’t know the victim; he had no prior interaction with him," Cote continued. "He targeted a young boy, and there were several at the time that would have been suitable, but they were occupied with family. When the father of this boy was momentarily distracted, and just several feet away, that’s when Mr. Sachs chose that opportunity to strike.”

Cote said Sachs's motive for the attack is known to police, but authorities have chosen not to divulge it at this time.

The victim sustained a punctured lung and was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery, where he was listed in stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery, Cote said.

Sachs, a 2005 Calhoun High School graduate, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and possession of a dangerous weapon. He was held for arraignment on Saturday, Oct. 9, in First District Court in Hempstead. Sachs, who had no prior arrests, pleaded not guilty. His parents have retained an attorney, who could not be reached at press time.