On Friday, U.S. attorney John Salcone reported an alarming incident involving undocumented Salvadoran immigrants threatening him with a knife in New York. He described a confrontation with Saul Morales Garcia, who had previously been deported from El Salvador, outside a Hilton hotel in Albany on Tuesday night.
Salcone characterized Morales-Garcia, 40, as acting aggressively, repeatedly charging down the street while shouting in a “foreign language” before he allegedly mimicked slitting his throat. Salcone shared his concern, stating, “I knew if he had escaped, he was going to kill someone.” He felt compelled to intervene, sensing a risk to public safety.
After leaving his office in downtown Albany, Salcone spotted Morales Garcia and decided to keep an eye on him due to his erratic behavior. Federal prosecutors indicated that as Salcone monitored the situation, a group of illegal immigrants started yelling at him.
Salcone recounted, “I didn’t engage. I just kept looking ahead, but he moved towards me. I shook him off, still silent, and then he pulled out a knife.” In panic, Salcone fled into the hotel lobby when Morales Garcia abruptly stopped and started to retreat.
After contacting local law enforcement, Salcone returned to the street, shouting at Morales Garcia to prevent him from fleeing. Reports suggest that Morales Garcia charged at Salcone again, making gestures as if to slit his throat.
Salcone expressed, “I felt a duty to the public as the highest federal law enforcement officer in the district. I was scared for my life, but I couldn’t harm this individual and potentially hurt others.” Morales Garcia was apprehended shortly after police arrived.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple remarked that Salcone’s actions likely saved a life that day. Morales Garcia has been in the U.S. illegally since 2021, following prior deportations, and he has a lengthy criminal history in at least three states outside of New York.
Following the incident, Governor Kathy Hochul reached out to Salcone. He described her response as sympathetic, stressing that the sanctuary policies in their cities were ineffective. Morales Garcia now faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and additional offenses. He was denied bail during his first hearing in Albany City Court.
