An 18-year-old from Auburn was arrested by State Police following a stabbing incident at the Fingerlakes Mall.
Troopers from the Auburn barracks responded to the mall at approximately 4:37 p.m. on Saturday for a report of a menacing complaint involving a knife. An investigation determined that an altercation began inside the mall near the arcade and pool area between James Rio and a 19-year-old male victim. As the victim attempted to exit the mall, Rio allegedly followed him and struck him with a pool stick. Rio then reportedly displayed a knife and pursued the victim into the parking lot, where he allegedly stabbed the victim in the right side of the chest. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening puncture wound.
Rio fled the scene on foot but was located by troopers a short time later near a nearby business and taken into custody without incident. He was charged with Assault in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, and Menacing in the Second Degree.
Rio was transported to the Cayuga County Jail for centralized arraignment.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
