An East Harlem resident has been arrested in connection with
the early morning murder on Dec. 19 on Avenue A.
During a press conference this morning, police said Roland Codrington, 35, went on a violent rampage in which he allegedly stabbed two men to death and assaulted several other people before his arrest on Christmas Eve.
Police said that 51-year-old local resident James Cunningham bumped into Codrington and his girlfriend around 1 a.m. on Dec. 19 outside Spike's on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Video footage at the scene, police officials said, shows the two men arguing for about 20 seconds before the suspect is seen slashing Cunningham's throat.
NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the two men had no prior connection before Dec. 19.
On Dec. 22, Codrington allegedly choked a bartender and stabbed two Good Samaritans at Teddy's Bar and Grill on Second Avenue in East Harlem.
Media reports stated that Codrington showed up at the bar with a pit bull and a baseball bat.
Early Friday morning,
a 60-year-old pediatrician was found dead in Marcus Garvey Park. Police said that Codrington and the victim, Bruce Henry, got into a verbal spat that ended with the doctor being stabbed multiple times.
The NYPD's investigation led detectives to Codrington and his girlfriend driving Henry's Mercedes-Benz in the Bronx on Christmas Eve.
Essing said Codrington faces two counts each of murder and attempted murder and additional charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief.
Codrington had 12 prior arrests, Essing said. No word yet on charges against Codrington's girlfriend.
Here's a video of today's press conference...