New York State Police arrest 22 year old man after late night stabbing leaves restaurant employee seriously injured in Malta

New York – Authorities in upstate New York say a late-night stabbing at a busy shopping area has led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man now facing a serious felony charge. The incident unfolded Sunday night in the Town of Malta, leaving a restaurant employee hospitalized but expected to recover.

According to the New York State Police, Shayne F. Vaccaro was taken into custody shortly after the attack on February 15, 2026. Investigators say the arrest happened quickly after Vaccaro approached a patrol vehicle and made a startling statement to a trooper who had just finished a traffic stop along State Route 67.

Police said the trooper was preparing to clear the stop at around 10:19 p.m. when Vaccaro suddenly ran toward the vehicle. Officers reported that he told them he had just stabbed someone nearby. He was immediately detained without resistance, and additional patrol units were sent to search the surrounding area for a possible victim.

Responding officers soon located a 34-year-old male employee at a nearby restaurant inside the Shops of Malta complex. The victim had suffered stab wounds to his chest and arm. A deputy from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office applied a tourniquet at the scene to control bleeding while emergency medical personnel rushed in to provide further treatment.

The injured man was then transported to Albany Medical Center for advanced care. Authorities confirmed he remains in stable condition and is expected to survive, offering some relief following what investigators described as a violent and targeted attack.

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State Police investigators say early findings suggest the suspect had been waiting outside the restaurant before the stabbing occurred. Detectives believe Vaccaro allegedly attacked the victim as he exited the building after finishing his work shift late that evening. Officials have not publicly disclosed any possible motive or whether the two individuals knew each other.

The knife believed to have been used in the assault was recovered during the investigation. It has since been secured and processed by the State Police Forensic Investigation Unit as part of the ongoing case.

Vaccaro has been formally charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B felony under New York law. He was arraigned early Monday morning and ordered held at Saratoga County Jail. Bail was set at $200,000 cash or a $400,000 bond.

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Law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation is still active. Detectives continue to gather evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview potential witnesses to better understand the circumstances surrounding the attack.

For residents and business owners in Malta, the incident has shaken a normally quiet commercial area. Authorities say patrol presence may remain elevated in the coming days as investigators continue their work and reassure the public.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact State Police as the case moves forward through the legal process.