A young man stabbed to death in a Brooklyn park was days away from celebrating his high school graduation at a family party — and a 16-year-old boy was arrested Sunday for his murder.
Manuel Estanislao Chox Choc was stabbed in the chest inside Dyker Beach Park near 86th St. and 14th Ave. in Dyker Heights just before 2 p.m. Saturday, police said. His 30-year-old uncle was also stabbed but survived.
Medics rushed both men to Maimonides Medical Center, where Chox Choc, 21, died, police said. His uncle is expected to recover.
“We were with them yesterday in the hospital,” said a 13-year-old friend who asked not to be named.
Chox Choc’s family was “devastated,” he added. “They were crying. The couldn’t stop crying. They can’t accept that he died.”
A 16-year-old boy taken into custody at the scene was charged Sunday afternoon with murder, attempted murder and weapon possession, authorities said. Police did not release his name because he is underage.
Chox Choc immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala about four years ago to attend high school, according to family friends.
“I would always see him go to high school,” the friend said. “He would always work. I would teach him how to speak English. I would always help him.”
Chox Choc was “very sweet,” said a woman who identified herself by her first name, Maria, 39. “He just wanted a better future here and he was still studying,” Maria said. “He’s a nice person. Christian person.”
“He wanted a nice career and he wanted to help his father” back in Guatemala, who is deaf, Maria said.
Chox Choc was getting ready to celebrate his high school graduation this week. “The house was all decorated” for a party, Maria said.
Chox Choc and his uncle were playing soccer in the park when they were attacked, family friends said.
“They went to play soccer because they like soccer in the morning,” said Arturo Menchu, 51, a family friend who works in construction with Chox Choc’s uncle.
“They got attacked by two men with masks. They had masks on,” Menchu said in a mix of English and Spanish. “They stabbed both of them and then they left with a motorcycle.”
Menchu visited Chox Choc’s uncle in the hospital Saturday night. He had surgery and is recuperating, according to Menchu. “Right now he’s stable and the doctor said he’s going to be all right,” Menchu said.
Police said they are looking into the possibility the attack was gang related but a motive has not been determined.
Family friends do not believe Chox Choc had any gang ties.
“Manuel is not a bad person. He’s a really nice person,” Menchu said. “We just want justice and we want it investigated more.”