Exclusive: Man attacked after coming to stranger's aid on Long Island

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, Suffolk County (WABC) -- A 20-year-old man is facing assault charges after police say a dispute ended in a double stabbing on Long Island, and now, the best friend of one of the victims who was simply coming to a stranger's aid is speaking out exclusively to Eyewitness News.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday on Jayne Boulevard in Port Jefferson Station.

Authorities say a man was walking along Jayne Boulevard when the driver of a passing Jeep slowed down and yelled at him. The Jeep followed as the man ran, and police say the driver of the Jeep and a passenger then exited the vehicle and attacked him.

According to authorities, two male occupants of the house heard the commotion and came to the man's aid. During the ensuing altercation, the two men who came out to help suffered stab wounds. One of them was 28-year-old Edward Bree, who remains at Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition.

His best friend, Michael Geiger, told Eyewitness News that Bree was hanging out at his girlfriend's uncle's house when they heard a man running down the street yelling for help.

"He goes down there, there are two gentleman," Geiger said. "He said it wasn't really an altercation, it was more of a scramble. He felt himself get hit. He thought it was just a punch at first. As they were walking away, Eddie's girlfriend noticed that he was bleeding. He lifted up his shirt. He was disemboweled."

Bree's girlfriend's uncle also suffered minor injuries in the attack. He was treated and released from the hospital. The man being chased was not injured and the suspects fled in the Jeep.

The investigation led detectives to 20-year-old Daniel Jusino, of Centereach, who is now charged with first- and second-degree assault. Police say Jusino had targeted the initial victim, but they're not saying why.

Bree, who has a young daughter, is expected to make a full recovery.

The investigation is continuing.