Bridgeport man arrested in slaying

Authorities say he killed 1 person, wounded another with machete

BRIDGEPORT — A local man has been arrested in Iowa in relation to the fatal machete stabbing earlier this month of one man and the wounding of another outside a Madison Avenue club.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force on Thursday night arrested 19-year-old Kevin Valverde, of Commercial Street, and charged him with murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon.

He was tracked by the fugitive team to Sioux County, Iowa, where they said he was arrested without incident. He will be held in Iowa until the extradition process is completed, then will be brought back to Connecticut and charged.

He is being held in lieu of a $1.5 million bond.

According to Police Lt. Christopher LaMaine, Detective Keith Hanson obtained an arrest warrant for Valverde for the June 5 murder of Albert Hernandez-Martinez and the attempted murder of Albert's friend outside Club Azul on Madison Avenue.

LaMaine said the evidence in the case indicates that the victims got into a dispute with Valverde inside the club minutes before closing time. Valverde was allegedly upset with one of them over a look that he had given him, which Valverde perceived as disrespectful, LaMaine said. Valverde and about half a dozen of his friends left the bar and waited for the victims outside, he said.

LaMaine said that minutes later, when the victims walked out, Valverde pulled a machete out of his pants and attacked the men.

According to witnesses, all of Valverde's friends were also armed with machetes and knives and joined in the attack. LaMaine said Hernandez Martinez's friend received a direct blow across his back from one of the machetes, leaving a gaping wound, but he managed to escape and get to the hospital. He ultimately survived. Hernandez-Martinez, however, sustained wounds from one or more machetes, striking him in the head and torso. He was taken to the hospital but died hours later, LaMaine said.

After the incident, Valverde fled the state.

“This was outstanding work by Detective Hanson, lead investigator on the case, and by all those who assisted,” said LaMaine.