Police identify local man charged in fatal stabbing

Police have identified Samson Aristor as the 29-year-old Hamilton man charged in a fatal stabbing at Coco Bongo Bar and Lounge early Sunday.

Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk released Aristor’s name Tuesday after he appeared in court to be charged with first-degree murder.

Police allege Aristor stabbed 33year-old Reald Vercani of Toronto outside the York Boulevard bar.

A fight involving several people broke out as patrons were leaving for the night, police said.

There is no evidence to suggest the two men knew each other, Bereziuk said Tuesday.

Police also believe they have recovered a knife used as the murder weapon, he added.

The entrance to the upstairs nightclub, which was hosting a Latin music-themed night Saturday, is through a plain door off Queen Street.

The club is in the same small plaza facing York as the Select Food Market, La Patissier café and Boulevard Billiards.

Bereziuk previously said police were called to the nightclub at roughly 3:30 a.m.

When police arrived, they found a man with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

This is the city’s sixth homicide this year.