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Teen Stabs Times Square Diner Victim, Cites Online Trend

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Police say the teen told investigators the killing was part of an online “messing with crackheads” trend.
A 17-year-old male was arrested for stabbing 39-year-old Leonidas Baez at 11:30 p.m. outside the Burger & Lobster restaurant in Times Square.
Police are searching for two fleeing suspects and have opened a Crime Stoppers tip line after officers found the arrested suspect with a scalpel after he jumped a turnstile at Stillwell Avenue station.

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Story summary

Police say the teen told investigators the killing was part of an online “messing with crackheads” trend.
A 17-year-old male was arrested for stabbing 39-year-old Leonidas Baez at 11:30 p.m. outside the Burger & Lobster restaurant in Times Square.
Police are searching for two fleeing suspects and have opened a Crime Stoppers tip line after officers found the arrested suspect with a scalpel after he jumped a turnstile at Stillwell Avenue station.