A 24-year-old Florida man allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his 12-year-old cousin after the boy confronted him about using a gaming console without permission, police said.
Background
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Sunrise Police Department officers responded Thursday to the 12800 block of Vista Isles Drive for a report involving a knife. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from a stab wound to his right hip area.
The victim was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries that doctors deemed non-life-threatening, local ABC affiliate WPLG reported.
The boy's great-grandmother told police she heard the two arguing over a gaming console and stepped between them. She said she did not see either of them holding a knife at that point. Shortly afterward, she saw the victim walking outside, followed him, and learned he had been stabbed.
In an interview with officers, the victim said he was involved in a heated argument with Zargazeta after the suspect used the gaming console without permission. The boy stated Zargazeta grabbed a knife from a kitchen knife block but put it back after their great-grandmother separated them.
The victim then began walking to retrieve the gaming system, and Zargazeta again snatched the knife and immediately stabbed him in the right hip area, according to the affidavit.
The Charges
Andrew Zargazeta is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Officers recovered the knife behind a television at the scene. Zargazeta made a statement to police, but that portion of the affidavit was redacted.
He was arrested and booked into the Broward County Jail on a $20,000 bond. He remained in custody as of Monday afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- Andrew Zargazeta, 24, faces one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
- The alleged victim, his 12-year-old cousin, suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound to the hip.
- The dispute began over the suspect's unauthorized use of a gaming console.
- Police recovered the knife behind a TV; Zargazeta was held on $20,000 bond.
What's Next
Zargazeta remained in custody at the Broward County Jail as of Monday afternoon. His next court date had not been listed, and the investigation remains ongoing.