Hazleton Man In Critical Condition after Morning Stabbing In Hazleton

Chief Jerry Speziale of the Hazleton Police Department provided the following details about the alleged stabbing in a domestic incident that occurred outside of the 100 block of S. Locust Street between a female actor identified as Marlin Florentino Batista, 43 years of age of Hazleton and a Hispanic male victim, 23-years old of Hazleton.

At approximately 9am, Hazleton Police responded to a 911 call from the emergency room at LVHH on a 23-year-old Hispanic male of Hazleton in extremely critical condition from what was determined to be a serious stab wound.   

Hazleton Police and City Detectives flooded the area of the 300 block of Chapel Street in attempt to locate any forensics and a crime scene based on the initial report of the victim being picked up by the actor from the location after suffering a gunshot wound and being transported by the actor to LVHH in the actors White, Toyota Highlander SUV.

After an intensive search, thorough and coordinated investigation, it was learned that Marlin Florentino Batista, 43 years of age of Hazleton allegedly stabbed the victim in an altercation outside the location in the area of 100 S. Locust Street. 

The female actor, Marlin Florentino Batista, 43 years of age of Hazleton was transported to Hazleton Detective Bureau and the vehicle was seized and towed by Hazleton Detective’s for further investigation in this matter.

Marlin Florentino Batista, 43 years of age of Hazleton is being charged with Aggravated Assault and the investigation is ongoing in coordination with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office Detective’s and additional charges are being evaluated.

At press time, the male victim was in extremely critical condition after surgery and was transferred to an area trauma center. The white Toyota Highlander has been impounded by city detectives for further investigation. The defendant is being processed at Hazleton police headquarters and will be arranged accordingly.

Statement of Chief Jerry Speziale:
“The quick response, coordination and intensive investigation led to the immediate obtaining of the facts and arrest in this matter.”

"The men and women of the Hazleton Police Department are a talented group of individuals truly endowed with the skills to handle such difficult tasks."
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