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Staten Island Assistant Principal Accused Of Stabbing Man

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A well-liked assistant principal at a Staten Island school stood accused Monday of stabbing a man, who police think was his ex-wife's new lover.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, the alleged details in the Graniteville neighborhood incident are truly bizarre.

"There was blood all over the place!" said John Noto, owner of the Soriano Pork Store on Greaves Lane. "There was blood in the car. There was blood on him."

Noto said it was a wild scene Saturday afternoon outside his business. Witnesses and police say John Carosella, 59, was stabbed multiple times while sitting in his car.

John Carosella
Police say John Carosella, 59, was stabbed on Staten Island over the weekend. P.S. 22 assistant principal Vincent Scotto is accused in the incident. (via Facebook)

"I saw the car pull up," Noto said. "He came out of the car. He was already wounded."

Police arrested Vincent Scotto, 43, an assistant principal at P.S. 22 -- an elementary school on Forest Avenue.

Vincent Scotto
Staten Island P.S. 22 assistant principal Vincent Scotto, 43, is charged with stabbing John Carosella, 59. (via Facebook)

The city Department of Education tells CBS2, "This individual has been reassigned away from the school"

Parents were stunned.

"He's a beautiful person. He's good with the kids," said P.S. 22 parent Kristine Cruz, "not the kind of person that would go out and stab anybody."

Sources said Scotto told police Carosella had an affair with Scotto's wife.

"I feel like he was provoked," said next-door neighbor Fabiana Flanagan.

Flanagan lives next door to the Scottos and has known them for 10 years. She said victim Carosella taunted Scotto and his wife over the past affair, repeatedly driving down their quiet street late at night honking, shouting and cursing.

"We did see that guy come around here, quite often, causing havoc," Flanagan said. "I feel like he was kind of harassing him, for at least two years now actually."

CBS2's Conybeare tried to get Carosella's side of the story, but no one answered the door or the phone at his house Monday afternoon.

Scotto is now charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

The Department of Education said Scotto will not be allowed back to work at the school until the criminal case against him is resolved.

CBS2 was told the stabbing victim was treated at the hospital and is expected to recover.

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