A Washington Heights man is in custody on suspicion of murder after he stabbed his neighbor to death inside an Upper Manhattan subway station, police said.
Authorities say Diego Figueroa Hepner is accused of stabbing musician Johnny Medina multiple times in the neck and body with a knife at the 175th Street station.
Medina, 40, lived across the street from Figueroa-Hepner, 24, and was a “vibrant presence” in his hometown of Washington Heights, his grieving family told The Washington Post.
He was attacked as he was boarding a northbound A train to see a movie with his girlfriend, who lives in Yonkers.
Police sources said Figueroa-Hepner was wearing a balaclava at the time of the incident.
Medina died from his injuries at Harlem Hospital, police said.
“He was an incredible artist, a hip-hop artist and a lifelong hip-hop fan. He was committed to spreading love and light through his music … and was very proud to represent Washington Heights,” Medina’s paternal cousin, Maximo Rebes, 42, told The Post on Saturday.
Medina, who was nicknamed “J McFly,” was “full of limitless dreams and inspired us to dream big with him,” said Anthony Rebs, another cousin.
“It is tragic that his life has ended at this point. His light will forever be an inspiration to our family,” the 37-year-old added.
The cousins also argued that the fateful incident was not the first time Medina and Figueroa-Hepner had clashed.
“I think this guy was pretty obsessed with Johnny and posted some pretty negative things. [on social media] “Regarding Johnny…Johnny filed a police report probably a month ago to make a complaint about this guy,” Maximo alleged.
A police source confirmed the two had previously argued on social media, but did not immediately say whether the altercation had been reported to police.
Figueroa-Hepner was arrested Saturday and charged with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Additional reporting by Marie-Paule.
