Bronx TikToker accused of deadly stabbing pleads not guilty
According to police, Andrew Tollinche, of the Bronx, is arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.
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A 22-year-old Bronx TikToker accused of killing a teenager is now behind bars after pleading not guilty in court.
Andrew Tollinche was arraigned today in Bronx Criminal Court on charges of murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors say he stabbed 17-year-old Johnathan Melo in the back with a large kitchen knife, causing his death.
Police say the stabbing happened Wednesday outside what is believed to be Tollinche’s home on Beach Avenue in Parkchester.
Melo’s mother says her son was riding his scooter with his cousin and a friend when they ran into Tollinche.
“He noticed the guy was pulling out a knife and he said, be careful, he has a knife,” said Raquel Melo, Johnathan’s mom. “And he went to kind of swerve and kind of like distract him so that the other two can just keep riding forward.”
Melo, who lived in Soundview with his family, later died at the hospital. He had three siblings and was about to graduate high school.
“We know he’s guilty… there’s eyewitnesses, there’s a video confirming it,” Raquel Melo said. “And I’m furious that he would plead not guilty.”
Tollinche’s attorney declined to seek bail at this time, pointing to concerns for his client’s safety.
Tollinche was remanded to Rikers Island. He is also facing separate charges, including rape involving a child and gun possession for unrelated cases.
“A lot of information has been placed on TikTok, so there’s a lot of stuff to go through,” said Tollinche’s defense attorney Edgar DeLeon. “He has the full support of his family… and people in the community.”
News 12 did not see any family or friends from either side in court.
Tollinche is due back in court May 6, when the case could be presented to a grand jury.
