Homeless man killed
Stabbed in robbery try near Staten Island courthouse
A homeless man was stabbed to death outside a historic Staten Island courthouse when he fought back against a robber who stole his cell phone, police said Sunday.
The victim and two other homeless men were approached by Sean Owens, who stole a cell phone from them outside the Richmond County Courthouse in St. George just before 1 p.m. Saturday, according to cops.
When the victim and his pals put up a fight, Owens, 40, allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest and right arm, authorities said.
The victim, believed to be in his 40s, was rushed to Richmond University Medical Center, where he died. Cops were not immediately able to identify him.
The victim's friends, ages 30 and 39, suffered minor injuries while struggling with the killer.
Owens, who is also homeless, was charged with murder, robbery, assault and weapons possession, police said. His arraignment was pending in Staten Island Criminal Court.
Built in 1919, the Richmond County Courthouse is a city landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The neoclassical building houses the Richmond County Surrogate's Court.
Saturday's stabbing is the second fatality in two months sparked by a fight outside a Staten Island courthouse.
On July 10, innocent bystander Fran Williams was shot in the face on Jersey St. during a gang brawl that began outside Staten Island Criminal Court, just a few blocks from Saturday's slaying. Rival gang members came to blows inside the courthouse before spilling out onto the street where a gun and a knife were flashed. Some of the men jumped into a stolen minivan in an attempt to cut off the gunman.
As the gunman opened fire on the speeding vehicle, the minivan slammed into him and pinned him against a home on Fort Place near Monroe Ave., police sources said. The gunman, 26-yearold Robert Craigwell, died at the scene.
About 30 minutes later and a half-block away, men tied to the rival gangs opened fire on each other in what investigators believe was payback for Craigwell's killing, hitting only Williams, who clung to life for three weeks before dying Aug. 2 at RIchmond University Medical Center.