Man accused of fatally stabbing gang member in Bronx bar brawl

MELROSE, the Bronx (PIX11) — A man is accused of fatally stabbing a gang member in the neck during a bar brawl in the Bronx last month, police said Tuesday.

Diego Ortega, 26, was arrested and charged Monday with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly killing Baraquiel Castelan, 32, on Feb. 3, according to the NYPD.

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Ortega, an alleged Raza Loca gang member, and Castelan, a Cholo member, fought when a melee between the two crews broke out at the bar at the El Chicanito restaurant at 435 East 153rd St. at around 3:30 a.m., police said.

Ortega hid behind a door and waited for Castelan to pass him before plunging the knife into the victim’s neck, rupturing an artery, police said. Castelan suffered a 10mm cut and died at the hospital.

The victim’s friend was stabbed in the head and lip during the bar brawl, police said. Another man was stabbed in the side at a bodega a couple of blocks away from the bar after he was asked if he was a Cholo member, police said.

There have been no arrests in those incidents.

Ortega pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held without bail, according to court records.

His attorney could not immediately be reached Tuesday.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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