Port Richmond man stabbed to death
A 21-year-old Port Richmond man was stabbed to death yesterday morning after an altercation, police said, and a man described as his longtime friend was taken into custody in connection with the attack.
Michael Jason Zgrezepski, 21, of the 3300 block of Gaul Street, was killed in front of his residence.
Detective Sgt. Ron McClane said only that Zgrezepski had been stabbed after an argument with another man. Witnesses said the dispute was with Zgrezepski's friend Scott Ross. McClane confirmed that three men had been taken into custody, but he said it was unclear if any would be charged.
"No clear motive has emerged," McClane said. "All we know is an argument took place."
According to a security guard who was patrolling the area shortly before the incident, Zgrezepski complained that Ross was drawing too much attention to them as he loaded merchandise into a back window of the house. She said Ross then angrily threw a computer from a back window, smashing it, to make his point.
The guard, Tiaza Johnson of Scotlandyard Security, said when she returned five minutes after the argument, Zgrezepski lay on the ground dead.
"I hear they were best friends," said Johnson. "It was Cain and Abel."
Johnson, who patrolled the adjacent Port Richmond Shopping Mall, said she questioned the men because she was suspicious the merchandise might have been stolen.
Contact staff writer Dwight Ott at 215-854-2797 or dott@phillynews.com.
Contact staff writer Dwight Ott at 215-854-2797 or dott@phillynews.com.
