On April 15, 2018, police responded to a report of an altercation at Pershing Field and found Anthony Bello, 77, unresponsive and bleeding from a wound to his torso. Bello was pronounced dead that morning at Jersey City Medical Center.
Investigators later determined that Charles Lowy had gotten into a fight with Bello and walked away from the scene after stabbing him. Lowy, who was seen on surveillance video arguing with Bello, was arrested a few days later.
Witnesses said the two had gotten into an argument over Lowy's habit of feeding the park's pigeons, NJ.com reported. Lowy had the knife on him in order to open a bag of seed for the birds, according to his attorney.
Bello was a youth sports coach and retired teacher well-liked among his Manhattan Avenue neighbors.
Lowy faces 5 to 10 years in prison when he's sentenced in October.
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