News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island
Stony Brook Medicine

Teen arrested for stabbing another teen in Selden parking lot

Richard Torres, of Middle Island, was involved in an altercation with the 19-year-old victim prior to the attack, according to police.

Tara Rincon

and

Daniella Rodriguez

Feb 19, 2026, 6:18 AM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

An 18-year-old male has been arrested for stabbing another teen in Suffolk County late Wednesday night.

Richard Torres, of Middle Island, was involved in an altercation with the 19-year-old victim prior to the attack, according to police.

The incident happened in a parking lot at 949 Middle Country Road in Selden around 11 p.m.

Suffolk police tell News 12 a friend drove the victim the hospital, where he is in serious but stable condition.

Torres fled the scene in a 2015 Nissan sedan, but was located by officers a short time later in Coram.

Torres pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault.

His attorney called the incident “a very clear-cut case of self-defense,” saying Torres had just left work at the restaurant when he was approached by three men wearing ski masks.

The attorney said Torres was punched, placed in a chokehold and threatened with a gun.

Chick-fil-A said in a statement to News 12 that it is aware of the incident and is working with police but is not commenting further during the ongoing investigation.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices