A 20-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly chasing and stabbing a homeless man to death in broad daylight on the Long Island Expressway service road in Medford, Suffolk County, New York.

The defendant was identified as Joseph Norton, of Manorville, while the victim is Timothy Stark, 32, who died after being transferred to NYU Langone Hospital in Patchogue.

Suspect chased victim before attack

According to Suffolk County Police, the attack occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, after Norton and Stark got into an altercation.

Authorities said the suspect got out of his vehicle and chased Stark through rush-hour traffic on the Long Island Expressway Exit 64 service road.

According to the indictment filed by the prosecution, Norton allegedly used a switchblade knife with an approximately six-inch blade to stab Stark in the back before returning to his vehicle and fleeing the scene, leaving the victim seriously injured on the side of the road.

The police located the accused a few minutes later

Suffolk County deputies located Norton about five miles from the scene of the attack, at an intersection in Yaphank, shortly after the incident.

During the arraignment hearing, prosecutors argued that the defendant chased the victim through three wide intersections, knocking her to the pavement and inflicting injuries that reached her lung and heart. According to prosecutors, the attack occurred in front of several witnesses and was recorded by two cameras installed in vehicles.

Norton's defense denied the charges and reminded the court that the accusations do not constitute a conviction and that his client maintains the presumption of innocence.

A judge ordered him to remain detained without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

The victim was known and appreciated by the community

The authorities have not reported what the motive for the attack would have been.

Medford residents noted that Timothy Stark was a well-known figure in the area, where he often sat in a chair next to the highway service road.

Jeff Vinci, a retired emergency medical technician, testified that he witnessed Stark fall to the ground and came to help him.

"His body was moving in a way that made me think he was no longer breathing. I checked his pulse and there was none," he said.

After learning of his death, residents began to place flowers and candles in the place where Stark usually stayed.

Jake Sherack, a resident of the area, recalled that he used to visit him with his seven-year-old son to bring him food.

"He was always good to us. One of my greatest prides was going with my son to feed him. He was a kind person," he said.

For her part, Tanika Quashie, an employee at a nearby Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, assured that Stark was a person known and loved by those who passed through the place daily.

"He was someone important and I want the world to know it. He was a kind person, he didn't bother anyone. What happened is unforgivable," he said while participating in the improvised tribute in memory of the victim.