NYC Man Sentenced For 2016 Murder In Nassau County

A Bronx man was sentenced to 25 years to life for stabbing a landscaper to death outside of a bar in Hempstead in April 2016.

Daniel Abrego Davila, 33, was convicted last November of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

“Rolando Cruz was savagely stabbed by this defendant during a fight outside of a bar,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “This sentence ensures that this murderer will spend many years behind bars for this reprehensible crime.”

On April 10, 2016, just after 1 a.m., 39-year-old Rolando Cruz, of Freeport, was leaving the Nuevo Arco Iris bar on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead. As he was leaving, Davila and his two friends were trying to get in, but the bouncer wouldn't let them. Cruz exchanged words with the three men, and then was corralled by them.

After that, Davila pulled out a knife and stabbed Cruz five times, in the neck, torso, arm and back. Cruz was left on the sidewalk in front of the bar, and he was taken by ambulance to Winthrop Hosptial, where he died shortly after. Davila had fled the scene with the knife.

Davila was arrested on Feb. 19, 2017 in Hempstead by members of the Hempstead Police Department and Nassau County Police Department.