Father to boy's stabbing suspect: "What made you do this?"

NEW YORK - The father of a 6-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in a New York City elevator says that if he saw the suspect, he'd ask him, "What made you do this to this baby?"

Nicholas Avitto spoke Thursday to Fox 5's "Good Day New York."

On Wednesday, police arrested ex-con Daniel St. Hubert in the Brooklyn elevator slaying of Prince Joshua Avitto. Seven-year-old Mikayla Capers was critically injured in Sunday's attack.

St. Hubert had not been formally charged in the stabbings by Thursday morning. CBS New York reports that St. Hubert was identified by DNA off the knife used in the stabbings.

Prince Joshua Avitto (left), 6, was fatally stabbed, and 7-year-old Mikayla Capers was critically injured, in an attack in an apartment building elevator in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday June 1, 2014. CBS New York

Prince's mother, Aricka McClinton, told the Daily News that her son came to her in a dream and said: "Hold on, Mommy, they're going to get him."

She added, "It feels like my baby can rest in peace."

It was unclear if the suspect had an attorney.

According to CBS New York, investigators say St. Hubert had been let out of prison on May 23 after serving a five-year sentence for domestic assault and attempted murder for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend.

He also reportedly has nine prior arrests, including two for assaulting police and correction officers.

In 2008, his own mother filed an order of protection against him. Months later, police said he punched her numerous times in the face, wrapped an electrical cord around her head and told her he was going to kill her.

He was eventually sent to a psychiatric facility for seven months.


f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.