(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Gherson Lopez, 29, a Salvadorian national, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree for fatally stabbing 34-year-old Jose Argueta-Canales outside of a Copiague deli in May 2023.
“No legal outcome can bring back Mr. Argueta-Canales but now this defendant will be held accountable for his actions,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office remains committed to prosecuting violent crimes to the full extent of the law.”
According to the investigation, on May 15, 2023, Lopez and the victim were smoking outside of a Copiague deli when they got in a verbal altercation. The altercation turned physical, but the fight ended when Lopez complained that he hurt his hand during the scuffle. Lopez and the victim allegedly then shook hands, and the victim sat down on a bench near the deli and began eating. The two men exchanged words again as the victim was seated on the bench, when the defendant stood over the victim and stabbed him in the chest twice, causing his death.
On June 11, 2025, Lopez pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro.
Lopez faces 20 years in prison, followed by 5 years post-release supervision. Lopez is due back in court on August 13, 2025, and is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Kenneth Buckheit of the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.
