Patient Charged in Deadly Stabbing at Queens Psychiatric Hospital

Details of the Incident

Detectives officially charged a patient at a Queens psychiatric hospital on Monday night for allegedly stabbing another patient to death earlier that morning in a bloody attack.

Accused and Victim

Police say 23-year-old David Zheng got into a dispute with 63-year-old Ronald Giacopelli inside the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, located at 80-45 Winchester Blvd., and stabbed him multiple times in the lower back and neck with a kitchen knife — killing him.

Circumstances of the Murder

Giacopelli was found inside Zheng’s room lying face down in a pool of blood at around 10:36 a.m. on January 20; EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. The murder weapon, a kitchen knife, was located nearby, law enforcement sources said. Staff last reported seeing Giacopelli alive at around 9 p.m. the night prior, January 19, sources familiar with the case said.

Investigation and Arrest

Zheng was taken into custody for questioning. Sources familiar with the incident reported that Zheng initially told cops that he woke up and saw Giacopelli on the floor of his room and did not remember anything. However, sources said he allegedly later admitted to murdering his victim. It is unclear how he obtained the knife.

Charges and Next Steps

Zheng has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. This was his first arrest, police sources said.

Conclusion

The tragic incident highlights the serious concerns about patient safety and security in psychiatric facilities. Authorities must ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future.

FAQs

* What happened at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center?
A patient allegedly stabbed another patient to death in a dispute.
* Who are the accused and the victim?
The accused is 23-year-old David Zheng, and the victim is 63-year-old Ronald Giacopelli.
* What were the charges filed against Zheng?
Zheng has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence.