Horror as man is stabbed after two families get embroiled in an argument at Adventureland Amusement Park on Long Island
Children watched in horror as two families squared up to each other and a man was stabbed in the stomach at one of New York's best-loved amusement parks.
Thousands of families were enjoying a Sunday outing to Adventureland Amusement Park on Long Island when a knife was pulled in front of the 'Mystery Mansion' ride just before 5pm on Sunday.
Daniel Tomasky, 42, allegedly plunged it into James Burns, with at least one of their children looking on, leaving the 47-year-old in a critical condition.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Pacino was at the attraction with his own family when he saw the injured man stagger away.
'Walking from the antique car ride area of the park, I saw a man siting on a picnic bench bleeding and clenching his abdomen just after being stabbed,' he wrote on Facebook.
Daniel Tomasky, 42, is accused of stabbing a family friend on an outing to Adventureland Amusement Park on New York's Long Island on Sunday
'I hope the victim makes a full recovery from this senseless act of violence, which sadly unfolded in a family theme park.'
Suffolk County Police said that Burns, of Edgewater in Florida, was known to his alleged attacker, although it is not clear if the two families had journeyed to the East Farmingdale attraction together.
Tomasky, a self-employed plumbing and heating engineer from Shirley on Long Island, has previously been jailed for weapons offenses, and pictures on his Facebook page show the balding body-builder showing off his tattooed physique.
Photos on the page of wife Rachel show a devoted family man enjoying outings with their young son.
Tomasky has a record of arrests for weapon offenses dating back to 2001, and some were appalled that anyone would be able to bring knives to the 62-year-old theme park.
'In 80s not many people on long Island even had a personal knife never mind went to Adventureland with it,' wrote Joe Lazzaro.
'This is absolutely disgusting that you can't go to an amusement park with your kids and be safe,' added Danielle Tesler.
'Perhaps they should institute security screenings like Disney parks. Metal detectors and bag checks,' suggested Scott Kraft.
Tomasky is due to appear for an arraignment hearing at Central Islip courthouse on Monday charged with first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child and related criminal counts
The 62-year-old adventure park was packed with families on the sunny Sunday afternoon
Photos on Tomasky's Facebook page show the body-builder showing off his tattooed physique
Park managers have admitted in the past that their business depends on maintaining a reputation for safety.
'The mom is the one that's making their decision where to spend their entertainment dollar,' president and co-owner Steven Gentile told WCBS in 2022.
'We need to convince mom that we are delivering a safe product here for them and that they can entertain their kids in a safe environment.'
The area was cleared as police arrived on the scene and Burns was rushed to an area hospital for surgery.
Tomasky was arrested at the scene by officers from Suffolk County Police Department.
He is due to appear for an arraignment hearing at Central Islip courthouse on Monday charged with first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child and related criminal counts.
'The overwhelming and rapid response by the Suffolk County Police Department, NYS Police and even the SUNY Farmingdale University Police, was reassuring to see,' Pacino wrote.
Tomasky's family defended him on social media as news of the arrest emerged
Others were appalled at the violence that unfolded in front of families and children
'The day continued for park goers and their families without incident thanks to the prompt and professional response by law enforcement.'
But not everyone felt reassured.
'Am I the only one that leaves all weapons at home when I go to a child's amusement park?' demanded Edward Josephs.
'We can't go anywhere in NY it sucks here!' added Devivo Patricia.
Rachel Tomasky refused to comment.
