Peekskill Teen Pleads In China Pier Stabbing Case

PEEKSKILL, NY — Peekskill resident Matthew Torres has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the stabbing death of a Peekskill teen.

He faces a determinate sentence range from 5 to 25 years in state prison, with 2.5 to 5 years of post-release supervision, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced. Torres, 18, pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to manslaughter in the first degree and assault in the first degree, both felonies.

On Nov. 28, 2020, several teens gathered at Fleischmann's Pier (known to locals for decades as China Pier) on Louisa Street at 9:15 p.m. to settle a dispute that started on social media. During the course of the fight, Torres, who was 17 at the time, stabbed 18-year-old Joaquin Salazar several times. SEE: Three Wounded, One Fatally, In Peekskill Fight

Police were called to New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital at 9:30 p.m. after friends had driven Salazar and another victim to the emergency room. Due to the severity of their injuries, both were transported to Westchester Medical Center, where Salazar was pronounced dead.

The Peekskill Police Department, assisted by New York State Police, investigated the incident and arrested Torres.

The case is before Judge Helen Blackwood in Youth Part and is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Counsel Craig Ascher. Torres is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2021.