Teen Killed In Village Dispute

Victim came to the aid of transgendered women before fatal stabbing

A man stabbed a Bronx teenager to death in the West Village early in the morning of July 16 after the victim went to the aid of three transgendered women who were being harrassed.

“It’s unclear if it was at all bias-motivated,” said Clarence Patton, director of community organizing and public advocacy at the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. “It sounds as though the alleged perpetrator was essentially trying to pick up some of the trans women and they were spurning him. He was not very happy about that.”

Darryl Fearon, the 17-year-old victim, was walking with five friends, including the three women, when Christian Soto Ruiz, 19, of 1041 Findlay Avenue, the Bronx, allegedly made a sexual comment that began a dispute.

Ruiz allegedly slashed one of the women with a knife though she later declined treatment suggesting she suffered only a minor injury. Fearon then punched Ruiz who responded by allegedly stabbing Fearon in the chest. Fearon was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

With the help of the three women, police quickly arrested Ruiz who was found nearby still carrying the knife he allegedly used in the stabbing. Ruiz was charged with murder in the second degree which carries a sentence of 25 years to life.

“The unfortunate part of it is not only is a young man dead but another young man has ruined his own life,” Patton said. “The whole thing is just tragic.”

Ruiz has five prior arrests, all for narcotics possession, and he was on probation until November 20, 2006, according to a police source.

A woman who answered the phone at Ruiz’s home and identified herself as his grandmother said he was innocent of any charges and had struggled with emotional problems. Ruiz’s mother did not respond to a telephone call seeking comment.

Ruiz’s attorney, Stephanie Kaplan, also did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Gay City News could not reach a representative of the Fearon family.

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