Crime
Damien Hurstel Charged in Fatal Stabbing and Decapitation of His Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro on Staten Island
WEST BRIGHTON, Staten Island — A 19-year-old man is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly stabbing his 45-year-old stepfather to death inside their Staten Island home on Monday afternoon.
According to the New York City Police Department, Damien Hurstel, 19, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the killing of Anthony Casalaspro, 45, his stepfather.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at 380 Cary Avenue in the West Brighton neighborhood shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Casalaspro unresponsive in the bathtub with multiple stab wounds to his head and neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Hurstel’s sister arrived at the residence around 4:00 p.m. and found blood throughout several rooms before discovering her stepfather’s body in the bathroom. She immediately alerted authorities.
Police sources described the scene as extremely violent, confirming that the victim had sustained severe injuries and that the weapon — a knife — was recovered at the scene.
Hurstel was taken into custody without incident shortly after police arrived. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are exploring the possibility that the suspect may have a history of mental illness.
Neighbors expressed shock and disbelief at the gruesome nature of the crime.
“This whole world is upside down,” said one longtime resident. “It’s terrible — you don’t do this to another person, not even to an animal.”
Another neighbor, Hugh Nembhard, who has lived across the street for six decades, said the neighborhood has changed in recent years. “I saw the father, but never the stepson,” Nembhard said. “This is a complete shock to me.”
The NYPD’s Homicide Division is leading the investigation.
Authorities continue to process evidence and interview witnesses to determine what led to the fatal stabbing.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.