By:Nicole Falco
Two of the suspects were arrested just after the incident, having been detained by mall security. A third suspect is being sought by police. The victim was reported to be in serious but stable condition after being treated for four stab wounds at an unidentified local hospital, police said.
According to police, the victim, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, first encountered the suspects at approximately 10:15 p.m. near the escalator on the first floor of the mall. He exchanged words with one of the suspects, after which the two parties went their separate ways, police said.
About 15 minutes later, the victim and his girlfriend encountered the suspects again near the food court on the mall-s second level. More words were exchanged, and the confrontation escalated to an assault when one of the suspects, Sebastian L. Abrams, 19, allegedly produced a four-inch kitchen knife, police said, and stabbed the victim a number of times. When Abrams attempted to put the knife back in his pocket, it dropped to the floor, at which time a second suspect, Jamal Green, 20, allegedly picked it up and stabbed the victim at least once more, police said.
The suspects fled the scene, but mall security was able to detain Abrams and Green until Nassau County Police arrived. A third suspect left the mall, police said.
The victim, whom police are not identifying, was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for three stab wounds in his back and one in his left arm. There were no other injuries reported. The knife was recovered at the scene.
Abrams, of 115-21 169th Street, Jamaica, and Green, of 194-23 112th Street, Jamaica, were both charged with first-degree gang assault, first-degree assault and fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon. Abrams was additionally charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after police found seven small Ziploc bags containing the drug on his person, police said.
The suspects were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Feb. 12 and held in lieu of $500,000 bail.
