The former boyfriend of a Belmont Park worker was charged with second-degree murder after the woman was found stabbed multiple times early Sunday in a racetrack barn, authorities said.
Police arrested Jose Franco-Martinez, 53, who has no known address, and charged him with murder, He will be arraigned on Monday at First District Court, 99 Main St., Hempstead.
According to detectives, police received a 911 a call about an injured female at Belmont Racetrack after a New York Racing acing Association security official saw a loose horse on the grounds.
Nassau police officers stationed at Belmont Park on Sunday, where a female stabbing victim who later died was found earlier in the day, officials said. Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp"Security investigated the rear barn area and discovered a 51 year old female victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported by a NYRA ambulance to a local hospital and was pronounced deceased," a Nassau police news release said.
The woman, whom police have not publicly identified, was pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said. She worked as a "hot walker" — someone who cools down horses after a training session, according to police.
According to Homicide Chief Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, Franco-Martines was found during a search of the racetrack grounds.
"This is a targeted incident," Fitzpatrick said during an afternoon news conference at the Elmont racetrack. "The person is known to her as a former boyfriend."
Fitzpatrick said investigators continued to search for the knife they suspect was used in the fatal stabbing. He also said detectives are trying to determine how the man may have gotten into the stable area, which is surrounded by metal gates and has security checkpoints.
At the storied racetrack Sunday, where Justify won the Triple Crown on June 9, a full day of racing went on without interruption. Meanwhile Nassau investigators combed the grounds of the barn for additional clues.
Enrique Garcia, 40, who exercises horses at the racetrack, said the victim was well-liked.
"She talked to everybody," Garcia said.
Her death made Garcia concerned about security at Belmont.
"Even inside it's not safe anymore," he said.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar