A quiet Thursday morning in Bethpage was shattered by violence when an elderly couple, longtime owners of a neighborhood deli, were fatally stabbed inside their own business. Police say a 30-year-old man is in custody after the attack at A & A Italian Deli & Pizza on Hicksville Road, a shop that has served the community for more than 30 years.
Authorities were called just after 9 a.m. following a frantic 911 report. When officers arrived, they found a 62-year-old woman fatally wounded and a 70-year-old man suffering from severe injuries. The man was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his wounds. According to investigators, the victims were a married couple known for their steady presence behind the deli counter, greeting customers and running the family business day after day.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of disbelief as details began to unfold. Several witnesses told investigators that the suspect, believed to be one of the couple’s sons, was inside the deli at the time of the attack. What happened next left even longtime patrons stunned.
“This is the worst thing that ever happened to me in my lifetime, and I’m 97 years old,” said witness Joe Boros, who had known the couple for years. Boros told police and reporters that he saw the suspect walk out of the deli moments after the stabbing. “He said, ‘I just stabbed my parents,’ and that was it. No emotion, nothing.”
Others echoed Boros’ recollection of the suspect’s calm demeanor. Brandon James, another witness at the scene, said the man made no attempt to flee. “He’s just sitting there,” James said. “He didn’t run, didn’t put up a fight, nothing. I just saw bloody hands when they turned him around.”
Police confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody without incident. As of Thursday afternoon, no charges had been formally announced, and authorities have not released the names of the victims or the suspect.
News of the tragedy rippled quickly through Bethpage, where the deli had long been considered a local fixture. Residents gathered outside, many stunned into silence, others openly emotional as they grappled with the loss of two people they had come to know personally.
“They were just hard-working people, a staple in this neighborhood for so long,” said customer Diane Elder. “It’s crazy to believe they’re not here anymore.”
Friends and patrons described the couple as warm, dependable, and generous with their time. Many said they had never noticed any signs of family trouble and were unaware of any issues involving the couple’s son.
“She’s just a nice lady,” James added. “When I found out what happened, I started crying. They’re such a sweet family.”
As investigators continue to piece together what led to the fatal attack, the community is left grappling with unanswered questions—and mourning the loss of two beloved neighborhood figures whose presence had shaped a small corner of Bethpage for decades. Police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation remains active.
