A 27-year-old Maryland man surrendered to police yesterday on charges he stabbed his pastor father and his stepmother during an Easter dispute in the couple’s East Village home.
Police said Javier Torres of Tottenville, Md., turned himself in to authorities in Manhattan – and was carrying the weapon allegedly used in the attacks on the Rev. Julio Torres, 65, and his wife, Maria Cruz, 37.
Police said Rev. Torres and his wife were entertaining the younger Torres in their East 11th Street home shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday when a dispute broke out.
Authorities said they didn’t know the reason for the dispute between Javier Torres and his father and stepmother.
But the attack began Sunday night when the reverend, the priest-in-charge at nearby St. Marks Church, objected to his son lighting incense, which had begun to burn the carpet, a police source said.
After angry words were exchanged, the younger Torres allegedly pulled out a small hunting knife with a 4- to 5-inch blade, and stabbed his father in the chest and his stepmother at least once in the stomach.
Both were taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. The Rev. Torres’ status has since been upgraded to serious.
The younger Torres was charged with attempted murder, assault and weapons possession, police said.
Cops searched the grounds behind the church and the surrounding area for the weapon.
But the search was for naught: The suspect brought the weapon with him when he surrendered.
The Rev. Torres, who once directed a U.N.-sponsored mental-health program for war refugees, has ministered in Nicaragua, New Mexico, the Upper West Side and The Bronx.
He is working on a doctorate in psychology and religion from Drew University in New Jersey.