Stabbing Incident on Long Island Leaves Community in Shock
A man from Long Island is facing serious charges after he allegedly pursued and fatally stabbed a homeless man in broad daylight, leaving the body on the side of a highway.
Joseph Norton, 20, has been charged with second-degree murder for the killing of 32-year-old Timothy Stark. The incident occurred on a frontage road off Exit 64 of the Long Island Expressway in Medford around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, as reported by Suffolk Police.
Authorities stated that Norton, a Manorville resident, became involved in a dispute with Stark before jumping out of his vehicle to chase him during rush hour.
According to prosecutors, Norton reportedly stabbed Stark in the back with a 6-inch switchblade before fleeing the scene, leaving Stark bleeding on the roadside. Stark was later transported to NYU Langone Hospital in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead.
Suffolk County patrol officers caught up with Norton about eight miles away at an intersection in Yaphank shortly after the stabbing.
A former EMT, Jeff Vinci, who witnessed Stark collapsing, rushed over to offer assistance. He recounted, “His body was moving in such a way that you could tell he wasn’t breathing anymore. I checked for a pulse. There was none.”
The reasons behind Norton’s pursuit of Stark remain unclear at this time.
During his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip, prosecutors outlined that Norton chased Stark through multiple intersections before violently attacking him. Norton’s attorney, Peter H. Mayer IV, argued against the murder charges, emphasizing that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
After the court hearing, the judge mandated that Norton be held without bail. He is set to appear in court again on Thursday.
Stark was a well-liked figure in the community, often seen sitting in a chair on a side street. Local residents have expressed their sorrow over his death. Jake Sherac mentioned that he and his son frequently brought Stark food, recalling him as a “kind person.” Sherac expressed hope that his son would always remember their kindness towards Stark.
Tanika Quashie, who works nearby at the Medford DMV, placed a candle at the memorial for Stark. “He was somebody, and I want the world to know that,” she stated. Quashie added that it was hard to comprehend why someone would harm Stark, who had never posed any trouble to anyone, calling the act “truly unforgivable.”
