Son of former aide of Mayor de Blasio arrested in stabbing death of 16-year-old in Edgewater

EDGEWATER, New Jersey (WABC) -- The son of a former aide to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's wife has been arrested on charges he fatally stabbed a 16-year-old boy who apparently tried to rob him.

Khari Noerdlinger, 19, of Edgewater, New Jersey, was arrested at his home Monday morning on aggravated manslaughter and other charges in the death of Savion Lewallen, of Spring Valley, New York. The stabbing occurred around the corner from Noerdlinger's house on Sunday.

Authorities said Lewallen went to Edgewater on Sunday with four New York accomplices to commit armed robbery. They were at a retail area on Old River Road at about 10:30 p.m. when they confronted Noerdlinger and got into an argument.

Lewallen was stabbed in the femoral artery during a fight with Noerdlinger, authorities said. It wasn't clear what led to the fight or whether Noerdlinger had been the initial robbery target. Lewallen's death was ruled a homicide.

Lewallen was taken to the hospital, where he died a short time later.

SAVION LEWALLEN

Khari Noerdlinger's mother, Rachel Noerdlinger, was the chief of staff for First Lady Chirlane McCray and had served as a spokeswoman for the Rev. Al Sharpton. After she left her $170,000-a-year job in the city in 2014, news reports divulged that Noerdlinger's boyfriend pleaded guilty to manslaughter 21 years earlier and mocked police as "pigs" on Facebook. A Department of Investigation probe also found that she omitted key information on her background check.

Investigators also said Khari Noerdlinger and others took steps to remove evidence from the scene of the fight. Police later arrested Noerdlinger and the four others. The four suspects were arrested on robbery charges and were jailed on $750,000 bail.

SUSPECTS:

- Khari Noerdlinger, 19, of Edgewater, N.J., charged with first-degree manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, hindering apprehension

All charged with armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery:

- Mirleny Tremols, 33, of Nyack, N.Y.

- Kevensky Lubin, 18, of Spring Valley, N.Y.

- Richard Jean-Pierre, 18, of Spring Valley, N.Y.

- Calim Gaspard, 23, of Spring Valley, N.Y.

Noerdlinger's attorney issued a statement Monday night:

"We're obviously disappointed that Khari was charged with such a serious crime when he was the victim of an attempted armed robbery by five individuals. He fought them off and gets rewarded with a manslaughter charge. This case will be fought vigorously and we'll be bringing Khari home."

Michael Fiore, a resident who lives nearby, said he was startled to see a trail of blood in the street as he took his 3-year-old to school Monday morning.

"There was a yellow marker with the blood, then progressive ones -- maybe four or five out in front of the restaurants," Fiore said.

"Obviously, this is usually a pretty peaceful neighborhood. I don't know what's going on," said Mary Grace Petillo, a resident who lives nearby.