Brooklyn stabbing, Jonathan Hernandez killed Jose Perez Rivera in Bushwick
The victim of a stabbing in Brooklyn was murdered by his best friend.
According to police reports and the victim's relatives, a Brooklyn man was fatally stabbed steps from his home by his gang-member best friend who was out on bail in a gun possession case.
According to police reports, surveillance footage showed Jonathan Hernandez repeatedly stabbing Jose Perez Rivera, 24, in Bushwick on Monday afternoon.
“He had a best friend like that. Rivera's devastated aunt, Jeanette Rivera, told the Daily News on Tuesday that "something was wrong with him." “I can't believe what I'm hearing. Jose will feed him and carry him to our home. He gave him some cash. Jose will carry him inside from the cold to warm up.”
On Hart St. at Knickerbocker Ave., Hernandez, 21, clad in a black hoodie, pounced on Rivera, plunging the knife into him as people walked by and cars rolled toward them, according to reports.
As his former pal bled to death, he fled around a block to a relative's apartment and called 911, claiming he was bleeding after being stabbed, according to sources. He had a cut on his side, but sources said he sliced himself during the craze.
According to the sources, patrol officers spotted a blood trail leading to Hernandez's position and quickly pieced together what had happened.
Rivera had a broken bottle in his hand on his way home from the Bronx after visiting his 4-year-old son, but he picked it up to protect himself, according to his aunt.
“He swung a knife at him. Jose was attempting to protect himself. He needed to get a liter. “What else could he possibly do?” she wondered.
Jeanette Rivera said that just before the assault, her nephew called her in a panic.
“He picked up the phone and dialed my number. 'Throw down the keys, he's on his way to get me!' The phone then went click,” she explained. His aunt was also at the airport, on her way home from a holiday in Florida.
“You can see him repeatedly stabbing him. He never stops stabbing him. We can't let this guy off the hook like this. Rivera's aunt spoke up.
“Jose is the son of somebody. Someone's father he is. He was also assassinated. Everyone in the community recorded it, but no one, not even his parents, came to his aid. Just your family are your friends in this world.”
On Tuesday, Hernandez was charged with Rivera's murder. He's a rumored member of the 9 Trey Bloods and has a history of convictions, including a Feb. 11 gun possession conviction, according to reports.
After obtaining a warrant for his Hart St. residence, police discovered a 9mm handgun, according to reports. According to court records, he was released on $20,000 bail on February 15th.
Michael Sheinberg, his lawyer, refused to comment, stating that he is still investigating the charges.
Rivera's aunt said that Hernandez's family had told him about him. “There was something off about him. She said, "We warned him to be careful."
“He really helped people, particularly older people,” she said of her nephew. This is a disaster.”