A quiet Long Island community was left shaken after a man allegedly stabbed his mother to death inside their Brentwood home — located directly across from an elementary school. The shocking crime unfolded just hours after classes ended, sparking concern among neighbors and parents alike.
Son Charged in Mother’s Stabbing
Police say 33-year-old Jason Kurumoglu has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of his mother, 59-year-old Melida Velasquez. Officers discovered Velasquez dead inside the home around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
A neighbor who witnessed the aftermath told News 12 Long Island, “They found her upstairs with knives, a bunch of knives sticking out of her and she’s dead.”
A Beloved Member of the Community
Velasquez had only recently returned from a trip to El Salvador. She was remembered warmly by her church, which described her in a Facebook post as a “beloved sister” who will be “deeply missed by her church family and all who knew her.”
Incident Across from Elementary School
The home sits across from North Elementary School. District officials reassured parents that the incident was unrelated to the school and posed no risk to students or staff.
Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera released a statement saying the school remains open on a normal schedule while the district stays in contact with police.
Court Proceedings Ahead
Kurumoglu is scheduled to appear in Suffolk County District Court, where he faces arraignment on the murder charge. Authorities have not yet released details about a possible motive.
Community Reaction
The crime has stunned residents of Brentwood, a normally quiet neighborhood about 50 miles east of New York City. One longtime neighbor told Newsday: “I’ve been here 20 years. We’ve never had anything like this. I never thought something like this could happen.”
The brutal killing of Melida Velasquez has devastated her family, her church, and her community. As her son faces a murder charge, residents of Brentwood struggle to process the violence that unfolded in a neighborhood where tragedy was the last thing anyone expected.
