Man accused of killing neighbor, stabbing dog in Brooklyn building

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — A man is accused of stabbing his neighbor to death and wounding his dog during a bloody attack in their Brooklyn building on Friday, authorities said.

Anthony Sabato, 27, allegedly killed Thomas Machalchick, 37, and stabbed the victim’s dog in the apartment building on Sands Street, which is used to house formerly homeless people, between Jay and Pearl streets at around 8 a.m., according to the NYPD.

Machalchick was stabbed multiple times, including in the abdomen, with a knife in his apartment, prosecutors said. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. The pup was stabbed in the upper left shoulder and was treated at an animal hospital.

Sabato and the victim argued after the suspect tried to take Machalchick’s phone before the deadly attack, prosecutors said. Sabato was caught on surveillance leaving the victim’s apartment and going to his unit holding a knife, according to court records.

The suspect barricaded himself in his apartment before police arrested him at the scene, authorities said. While in custody, Sabato allegedly admitted to stabbing his neighbor and the dog, prosecutors said.

Sabato was charged with murder, robbery, torturing or injuring an animal, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of stolen property, according to court records.

He pled not guilty during his arraignment on Saturday and is being held without bail.

Sabato’s attorney could not immediately be reached Monday.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.