Charlotte police say a late-night domestic drama turned into a near-fatal assault when two women allegedly forced their way into an ex-boyfriend's home and slashed his new girlfriend with a large knife, leaving her with multiple deep wounds that needed stitches. The attack reportedly unfolded inside a bedroom while the homeowner watched, and the suspects have been identified as 27-year-old Maria Hideky Sarmiento Hernandez and 19-year-old Genesis Velez.
According to Charlotte Alerts News, Sarmiento Hernandez first called her ex-boyfriend and threatened his new girlfriend, then allegedly drove to his residence with Velez. Prosecutors say the pair beat on the door, forced their way inside and pushed past the man into a bedroom, where the confrontation quickly escalated into violence. Police were called, and although the suspects fled before officers arrived, they were later arrested on May 20.
Charlotte Alerts News reports that Velez is accused of pulling a large knife and repeatedly cutting the girlfriend on the chest, throat and abdomen while yelling, "I don't care! I'm crazy! I'll kill you!" The victim also suffered a cut to the inside of her upper lip, an abrasion on the front of her throat and multiple deep lacerations to both wrists and hands, one of which required a significant number of stitches, according to charging documents.
Booking records and charges
A May 21 mugshot roundup lists both Genesis Velez and Maria Sarmiento among May 20 bookings, showing charges that include attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon, WCCB Charlotte reports. Those booking entries line up with other local reporting and public jail records.
In addition, prosecutors say both women also face counts of breaking and entering and communicating threats connected to the alleged home invasion and verbal threats made before and during the attack, as previously reported by Charlotte Alerts News. The case remains under active investigation.
What’s next
The arrests and charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court. Prosecutors will determine how to proceed on potential indictments, and arraignment dates will be scheduled through the Mecklenburg County court system.
Further details about court appearances or official statements from investigators could shed more light on what led up to the violent confrontation inside the Charlotte home. This story will be updated as new filings or public records become available.
