Staten Island Homeowner Interrupting Burglary Fatally Stabbed: Police

A 67-year-old man was stabbed to death and his wife was injured after the couple came upon a burglary at their Staten Island home, police say.

Authorities responded to a call of an assault in progress at a home in Woodrow Sunday night and discovered 67-year-old Peter Gialuisi with stab wounds to his face and hand and his 66-year-old wife with stab wounds to her head, neck and back.

The two were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Gialuisi was later pronounced dead. His wife is recovering and was listed in stable condition Monday, officials said.

Police said the couple was attacked after they returned home and discovered the burglar in the house.

Relatives told NBC 4 New York that Gialuisi and his wife Vincenza were at their son's house in New Jersey celebrating a birthday before coming home to find the burglar.

A 20-year-old suspect was arrested in the deadly attack Monday. Police said Dante Viggiano, of Staten Island, was charged with murder, attempted murder, burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal mischief. 

Viggiano was arraigned Tuesday at Staten Island University Hospital, where he's been ordered to undergo a psychiatric examination. His next court proceeding is scheduled for Sept. 29. 

Viggiano's attorney declined to comment. 

Gialuisi's brother-in-law Angelo Gallo, who lives in the back unit of the couple's home, had returned with them from New Jersey and was still in the garage when he heard the screams. He said Tuesday Viggiano wasn't known to the family. 

"We never knew this guy," he said. "We don't deal with these people." 

Contact Us