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Gyro Line Cut Stabbing Trial Starts, Self-Defense Claimed
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 11, 2009
Modified Dec 11, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 11, 2009
Modified Dec 11, 2009
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The man accused of fatally stabbing a teenager who cut the line at a popular midtown gyro and chicken cart told the officer who arrested him that he was acting in self-defense. The violent incident took place one night around 4 a.m. in October 2006, after Ziad Tayeh, 26, accused two brothers, Shannon and Tyrone Gibbons, of cutting ahead of him in line. Shannon says, "We just ignored him," but after they drove off with their food, Tayeh allegedly chased them in his white Lexus SUV.
At a red light at 52nd Street, Tayeh jumped out of his SUV and allegedly plunged a blade into Tyrone Gibbons's chest. The 19-year-old college student died at the scene, and Tayeh drove off, only to be pulled over at East 26th Street. Officer Sean Ryan, who arrested Tayeh, testified yesterday that the suspect immediately insisted he was forced to fight. As soon as Ryan pulled him over, Tayeh volunteered, "It's about the fight in 52nd St.' He said it was self-defense."
Indeed, Tayeh's lawyer argues that he was assaulted first by Shannon Gibbons, and forced to defend himself. Whatever the truth is, the tragic incident's a sobering reminder of the dangers of arguing with strangers, as well as the perils of midtown at 4 a.m.
Tagged
falafel
fatal stabbing
gyro
halal
line cut
midtown
nyc
stabbing
trial
tyrone gibbons
Ziad Tayeh
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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