Westchester Man Arrested For Killing Father With Meat Cleaver: Police

YONKERS, NY — Police have made an arrest in a brutal killing at a Westchester home.

The Yonkers Police Department announced on Wednesday afternoon that they made an arrest in a domestic homicide investigation.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Yonkers police officers were called to a Scarsdale Road home after a report of an unconscious man. Once on the scene, however, officers found a dead 76-year-old man with severe lacerations.

Investigators zeroed in on the victim's son as the prime suspect in the apparent homicide. Police apprehended 47-year-old August Velasco of Yonkers, while the home was cordoned off, and a criminal investigation got underway.

Detectives from the Major Case Squad and the Crime Scene Unit believe that Velasco repeatedly struck his father with a cleaver in the home, causing his death. Investigators said they recovered the weapon at the scene.

"It is a sad and tragic incident when an individual takes the life of another, a sentiment which is only amplified when there is a family relation connecting them," Yonkers Police Department Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said. "I applaud our Police Officers and Detectives for their quick response and thoroughness throughout this investigation."

Police say that Velasco was charged with second degree murder and remains in custody. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court on Wednesday.

The victim has been identified as Jose Raul Velasco. The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department said that they extend their heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family.