An Atlantic City resident admitted to chasing down and fatally stabbing a Queens man following a fight outside a New Jersey hotel, officials announced Thursday.
Julio Vazquez-Dones, 38, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to first-degree aggravated manslaughter as part of a deal that will see him spend less time behind bars for the killing of 31-year-old Jewel Lonon, according to a press release from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Vazquez-Dones was initially charged with first-degree murder and multiple weapons offenses.
The deadly confrontation unfolded July 8, 2023 outside the Red Carpet Inn on Pacific Ave., just blocks away from Steer Pier in Atlantic City. Prosecutors said Vazquez-Dones was caught on video chasing Lonon out of the building and into the parking lot while wielding a golf club and knife.
Police found Lonon, from Rosedale, Queens, around 5 a.m. suffering multiple stab wounds. He later died from his injuries.
Vazquez-Dones was subsequently arrested and confessed to stabbing Lonon during the fight. He also told authorities he discarded his clothes and his weapon, prosecutors said.
Vazquez-Dones is due to be sentenced on March 12, 2025.
Per his plea agreement, he’ll receive 25 years behind bars with the possibility of parole. Had he been found guilty of first-degree murder, he’d be facing 30 years to life in prison.
