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A 19-year-old man was arrested in the Thanksgiving morning stabbing death of a high school football player outside a bar in Manhattan.
Gianluca Bordone was arrested and charged on Wednesday in the death of Rocco Rodden, 17, the New York Police Department said in a news release. Bordone faces manslaughter and assault charges, authorities said.
On Thursday at about 1:50 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a male stabbed at 96 Lafayette Street. Once there, officers saw a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man with stab wounds to the torso, police said.
Rocco Rodden, inset, was fatally stabbed. (Rodden photo from Facebook; crime scene screenshot from New York’s WABC-TV/YouTube)
The 17-year-old victim was taken to a hospital, where he died. The 19-year-old was in stable condition.
The fight happened after a night of drinking outside an axe-throwing bar, the New York Post reported.
“During this altercation, the defendant stabbed the 17-year-old in the chest. He then slashed the 19-year-old brother across the torso, causing a deep laceration,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eun Bi Kim said, the paper reported.
But Bordone’s lawyer reportedly said it was “far more complicated” than prosecutors alleged, according to the Post.
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“What was not discussed … is the chaos and mayhem that surrounded this entire incident, including what my client was subjected to — which again not on surveillance video, not discussed by prosecutors — where he was pummeled repeatedly,” attorney Warren Quaid said, according to the paper. “This was a chaotic scene.”
“I have no words that he was murdered in cold blood.!! Life will never be the same without him,” he wrote on social media, the Post reported.
Rodden was a student at Saint Joseph Regional High School. The school put out a message on Facebook about his death.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our own, Rocco Rodden,” the message said. “Rocco, a junior at SJR, left us in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rocco’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
NJ.com reported Rodden was an offensive lineman at the school.
Former coach Dan Marangi posted a tribute on Instagram.
“At a loss for words right now, just last week laughing, smiling and talking about the future,” he said. “Full of life. Rest easy brother. Hold your loved ones close; every moment is precious. RIP Rocco”
St. Joseph Athletic Director Reggie Sainte Rose told nj.com that the St. Joe’s community is shocked.
“We’re just in a state of shock,” he said. “We had the boys together this morning, the football team, for a prayer service and time to reflect and get together and stay strong for each other. Prayers just go out to the family right now. It’s a tough time.”
