A Bronx TikToker accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old in Parkchester was a no-show for a scheduled Bronx Criminal Court hearing on Wednesday, leaving relatives and court staff in limbo while prosecutors continue to build the case.
As reported by News 12, the defendant did not appear for his hearing and reporters waited outside Bronx Criminal Court for updates. News 12 did not indicate whether the judge immediately issued a warrant in response to the absence.
Arraignment and charges
Police arrested 22-year-old Andrew Tollinche, a local social-media personality who posts under the handle DGB, after the deadly encounter earlier in the week. He was arraigned on charges of murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon, according to ABC7 New York.
The victim and the scene
The victim, 17-year-old Jonathan Melo, was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, his mother told reporters. "I want justice for my son and I am giving full space for the law," Raquel Melo said, according to ABC7 New York. Authorities say the teen had been with friends when the confrontation happened and that surveillance footage shows him collapsing on the street after the attack.
Social media context
Detectives have said the dispute may be tied to Tollinche's presence on TikTok, where videos and online taunting have reportedly drawn people to his building in recent weeks. ABC News reports that groups had been congregating outside the account holder's apartment before the deadly encounter.
Missed court and what it could mean
Under New York court procedure, a defendant's failure to appear can prompt a judge to issue a bench warrant or take other steps, including possible forfeiture of bail, depending on the circumstances. The state court system notes that judges have discretion in deciding how to respond after a nonappearance, according to NYCourts.gov.
What comes next
It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors or the judge sought a bench warrant after Wednesday's missed appearance, and officials had not issued a public statement by press time, News 12 reported. Records and reporting show Tollinche had a prior unsealed arrest related to an alleged sexual offense, according to ABC News.
