NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 6, 2026) — New Rochelle police arrested a suspect following what authorities described as an unprovoked face-slashing incident on North Avenue yesterday.
Officers responded at approximately 12:58 p.m. on Thursday March 5 to a reported slashing at 222 North Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who told police that an unknown male approached him without provocation and slashed him across the face with a sharp object. The suspect was described as a Black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
Police said that “rapid investigative work and community leads” directed officers to an address on Hickory Street. There, officers located and took into custody Kiwaun Irizarry, 28, of New Rochelle.
Authorities said a knife was recovered during a search of the area.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Irizarry was charged under New York State Penal Law with second-degree assault, a D felony, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, an A misdemeanor.
Police said the suspect was charged criminally but will be mentally evaluated.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-654-2300 or anonymously at 914-632-COPS.
UPDATE FROM NEW ROCHELLE CITY COURT
According to court records, Kiwaun Irizarry was arraigned March 6 before Judge Eileen Songer McCarthy in New Rochelle City Court. Irizarry entered a plea of not guilty during the proceeding.
The court issued a temporary order of protection and remanded Irizarry without bail.
Court records show the case was adjourned to March 27 at 9:30 a.m. for what is listed as a “730 status.”
In New York criminal proceedings, a “730” refers to a mental competency evaluation conducted under New York Criminal Procedure Law Section 730, which allows a court to order psychiatric examinations if there is reason to question whether a defendant is mentally competent to stand trial.
Under the statute, the court appoints qualified examiners to evaluate whether the defendant is capable of understanding the proceedings and assisting in their defense. The examiners submit reports to the court, and a judge determines whether the defendant is fit to proceed.
The March 27 court appearance is expected to address the status or results of that evaluation.
UPDATE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY DOC
Online custody records show Irizarry was booked into the Westchester County Department of Correction at 8:03 p.m. on March 6 and remained in custody as of 9:20 p.m. that evening.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.