A Harlem man was arrested Saturday and charged with a brutal stabbing death outside a Queens bar on New Year’s Day. Police say this is the first homicide in the Big Apple in 2024.
Torrence Holmes, of St. Nicholas Place, was charged with manslaughter in the early morning hours of January 1 in the death of Tsering Wangdu outside the KTM Bar and Lounge in Elmhurst, police said.
Police said Wangdu, 29, was stabbed in the leg and died more than 12 hours after a brawl broke out outside the Broadway bar.
The 30-year-old friend was stabbed in the chest and face, but survived.
Law enforcement officials said the two got into an argument with another reveler and were kicked out of the store. Police said the outcome of the fight is unknown.
Holmes was charged with manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a weapon.
He was also charged with assault, tampering and weapons possession for assaulting a second man, whose name has not been released.
According to police sources, Mr. Holmes was previously arrested on suspicion of assault in 2013.
He was awaiting arraignment Saturday night.
