(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Rene Alexander Elias Chaj, 23, a Guatemalan National, was indicted for Assault in the Second Degree, and related charges, for his alleged unprovoked stabbing of two random men, who were unknown to him, within an hour of each other in Riverhead.
“Random acts of violence are chilling,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The safety of our residents is my highest priority, and I will vigorously prosecute this case to ensure justice for the victims and protection for our community.”
According to the investigation, on May 2, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Elias Chaj allegedly stabbed the first victim with a knife in his left side while the two men were seated at the Time to Eat Deli on West Main Street in Riverhead. There was no altercation or any provocation leading up to the stabbing. The victim was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was treated for his wound.
After the stabbing, Elias Chaj exited the deli and boarded a Suffolk County Transit bus at the County Center in Riverhead at approximately 3:48 p.m. About three minutes after boarding, Elias Chaj allegedly jumped up from his seat and stabbed the second victim, who had been sitting behind him, on the left side of his body, puncturing his lung.
The victim had been sitting on his own, looking down on his phone when he was allegedly stabbed by Elias Chaj. The bus came to a stop after the victim was stabbed.
Elias Chaj then allegedly fled the bus and headed Northbound on County Rd 51 on foot. He was arrested shortly afterwards on the side of the highway by Southampton Police Department officers. At the time of his arrest, Elias Chaj was allegedly in possession of a clear ziplock bag containing a white powdery substance which field tested positive for cocaine.
On May 16, 2025, Elias Chaj was arraigned on the indictment before Supeme Court Justice John B. Collins for two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all Class D violent felonies.
Justice Collins ordered Elias Chaj held on $300,000 cash, $600,000 bond or $3,000,000 secured bond during the pendency of the case. Elias Chaj is due back in court on June 4, 2025, and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted on the top counts. He is being represented by Daniel Fox, Esq.
The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has filed a request for advance notice if this defendant is to be released.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Stapleton of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Erika Moncada of the Southampton Police Department and Detective Richard Anderson of the Riverhead Police Department.