Monday, December 19, 2022

[Updating] Man found dead with a slash wound to his neck on Avenue A

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington. He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.


Updated 12/22: Police released a photo of the suspect here.

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The body of a 51-year-old man with a neck wound was found early this morning on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

According to ABC 7, the man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered around 1 a.m. outside 214 Avenue A on the east side of the avenue with "a laceration to the neck." Authorities pronounced him dead at Bellevue. 

The Daily News reports that the man "lived nearby where he was killed." 

Police have confirmed that this was a homicide. We'll update this story when more information becomes available. 

Updated 1:30 p.m.

The Post identified the victim as James Cunningham. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's and was attacked by an unknown assailant after leaving. 

Sources told the paper that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

Police have not yet revealed a motive or suspect in the deadly attack.

The Daily News reported that Cunningham was a regular at Spike's, 218 Avenue A.

Per the News:
He walked outside and was sliced in the neck after getting into a confrontation in front of a neighboring vacant storefront, according to cops.

"He was a super nice guy," said an employee, who asked not to be named.
NYPD tips posters are now up on the block...
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

23 comments:

bayou said...

I used a plastic bag to throw away the large bloody textile that was in front of our building. I didn't want the little kids to see it.

Trixie said...

Oh my god, how horrible, the poor soul.

Anonymous said...

Horrifying!

Anonymous said...

I don't know what I would if I encountered a dead man on the street with a wound to his neck early in the morning. Sounds like a scene from Law and Order. That poor guy. So sad. :(

Anonymous said...

Sad news - Bad ole days of Alphabet City

noble neolani said...

I'm so sorry and sad to heat this however I wonder if these bar infested blocks will become a frequent location of violent crimes.

bayou said...

@noble neolani - Spike's and Spotted Owl are filthy, inconsiderate neighbors and blights to the block. That the owners don't care is insult to injury.

John Penley said...

Ever since I saw this I Hve been checking back for the name of the victim and am hoping this is not an old friend.

Anonymous said...

Blame the lousy politicians. Was the safest big city in the U.S. at one point and it can be again with the right people in office.

Anonymous said...

to the person who threw away the bloody textile: that is evidence for the crime. contact the 9th precinct immediately.

Anonymous said...

According to the NY Post the victim was charged 10 days ago with menacing with a knife. I suspect there is more to this story than first appears. Also I live on 13th St, just east of Ave A and I find the bars on 1st Ave to be considerate and not noisy whenever I pass by

Anonymous said...

I highly doubt this is a bar crime

Anonymous said...

I hope this wasn’t your friend

Anonymous said...

Yeesh a little too close to home here

Anonymous said...

I live a half a block away, has the killer been caught?

Anonymous said...

I would like to ask the people bashing the bars to please retract their statements as this had nothing to with the bars on avenue A and all to do with some menace carrying a knife and killing mr cunningham.

Anonymous said...

The name has been released; James Cunningham.

Anonymous said...

According to report, he brandished it when threatened by a homeless man. Some passersby reported it to police.

Maybe that happened again, but this time, the other party got control of the knife.

Scott said...

He was my friend for 35 years and was the best type of person. James would have given the last of anything he had so another wouldn't have to go without.R.I.P. Brother

MJ said...

James was a new friend but the best kind of person, he didn't deserve this and I'm heartbroken

Adri said...

@Scott was he a massage therapist? I'm trying to confirm that this horrific news isn't about one of my employees.

Freya Nozam said...

@Adri Yes, he was a massage therapist. I'm sorry.

@Scott I've known James only about 3 years. This is incredibly sad and he did not deserve this. This is the first time I'm using this site so I'm not even sure if it's doable. But if there is, feel free to reach out to me.

Mirelis said...

This news is so tragic. May his soul rest in peace. Does anyone have a link to James’s official obituary? I can’t seem to find any additional information when I searched online and was hoping to pay my respect. He was a really nice guy.