UNION CITY — A 23-year old Union City resident was stabbed to death around 3 a.m. Monday morning during a fight involving a group of men near the front of Studio 45 Nite Club on Bergenline and Golden Lane in Union City, County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said.
Ivan Restrepo, of Seventh Street, was stabbed to death. His brother, Alejandro Restrepo, 19, also of Seventh St. in Union City, was stabbed multiple times and was in critical condition on Tuesday.
DeFazio said on Tuesday that Juan Ventura Balbuena, 19, of 61st St. in West New York, was arrested at the scene and is scheduled to make his first court appearance today.
DeFazio said a warrant is out for the apprehension of Juan Ventura Balbuena’s cousin, Daniel Balbuena, 18, of 67th St. in West New York.
According to DeFazio, there were a number of witnesses to the event, which he said started as a verbal argument during which insults were exchanged. It then escalated into a physical altercation.
A third party held Juan Ventura Balbuena at the scene, DeFazio said.
DeFazio said that it does not appear that the victims were armed.
Anyone with information about the incident or Daniel Balbuena’s whereabouts should call the Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.