Dispute led to slashing at shopping plaza in Eltingville, NYPD says

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A dispute prompted a slashing by a 14-year-old boy at a popular shopping center in Eltingville on Tuesday, according to police.

The victim, a 19-year-old man, has been released from the hospital following treatment for the gash on his left cheek that he sustained during the assault around 7 p.m. in front of Greenridge Plaza at 3275 Richmond Ave., according to police.

Authorities are looking into the possibility that a dispute over a girl sparked the attack, said NYPD Capt. Luigi Carrubba, commanding officer, during a 122nd Precinct Community Council meeting on Wednesday.

Carrubba said that the individuals involved in the incident knew each other before the attack.

The 14-year-old boy was charged with assault, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police.

In the initial aftermath of the slashing, four persons of interest, two boys and two girls ages 14 and 15, were taken in for questioning by police.

The knife was not recovered at the scene by police.

Several police cars could be seen in the vicinity of the shopping center on Tuesday night and in the parking lot of a pharmacy located across the street.