Police: Teen arrested in Hempstead Lake State Park stabbing

Police say they arrested an alleged gang member in connection with a stabbing attack that injured three teens last month in Hempstead Lake State Park. The suspect, Francisco Romero, 17, of Hempstead,

News 12 Staff

Jun 7, 2016, 1:23 AM

Updated 2,870 days ago

Share:

Police: Teen arrested in Hempstead Lake State Park stabbing
Police say they arrested an alleged gang member in connection with a stabbing attack that injured three teens last month in Hempstead Lake State Park.
The suspect, Francisco Romero, 17, of Hempstead, is an MS-13 gang member, according to authorities.
As News 12 has reported, two groups of teens got into a violent brawl on May 23 that officials said involved knives and a machete. Three were stabbed.
Sources say one of the groups involved was with the MS-13 gang, while the other was with the 18th Street gang.
Romero was arraigned on felony assault charges and remanded without bail. He said nothing to reporters as he was escorted out of the courthouse, where he is expected to return on June 8.
According to court documents, Romero told police that he attacked the teens in the park but not with a machete. The documents quote Romero as saying in part, "The branch I used was dry and broke. When I hit the guy...I just hit him with my hands. I didn't use a knife." 
Police say they are seeking two other alleged MS-13 gang members in the attack.


More from News 12
1:45
West Islip H.S. student to face a judge after bringing gun, bullets to school

West Islip H.S. student to face a judge after bringing gun, bullets to school

2:15
Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

0:30
Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

0:37
More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

1:50
Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:52
Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured