Man allegedly stabbed bus rider in the head, punched another in the face

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) --- A man is accused of stabbing a Bronx bus rider in the head and punching another in the face over a fight about an apartment door not being held open, authorities said.

Dayshawn Bannister, 29, allegedly punched Cheddie Defrietis, 38, in the face and stabbed Peter Crosby, 35, in the head, injuring his brain, aboard an MTA bus near East 147th Street on Feb. 15, prosecutors said.

The incident escalated when Destiny Bryant, 24, and Defrietis fought over a door not being held open at an apartment building at 869 East 147th St. Bryant called her boyfriend before he called his brother, Bannister, authorities said.

Bannister allegedly got on the bus and told the passengers to get off before attacking the two men. Bannister then allegedly punched Defrietis and turned to Crosby before allegedly stabbing him in the head, puncturing his brain, according to court records. The knife was removed during surgery and the victim still needs neurological testing.

Bannister was charged with attempted murder, assault, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said. He was arraigned on Friday. Bannister pleaded not guilty and was released without bail, according to court records.

Bryant was charged with gang assault. She was arraigned and released in April.

“A man was stabbed in the head, and another was punched in a frightening attack on a bus, all allegedly stemming from a dispute over an apartment
building door not being held open. This type of escalation is unacceptable. Now a victim faces possible lifelong injuries,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said.