ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Police Department has identified the victim in Thursday’s fatal stabbing on Spencer Street as 31-year-old Abagail Perez, a young mother whose life was tragically cut short during a violent altercation.
Police say Perez was fatally stabbed by her partner, 21-year-old Javier Justice, during a domestic dispute on the evening of August 14. Officers responded to a home on Spencer Street after receiving reports of a stabbing, where they discovered Perez suffering from critical wounds. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
According to investigators, Justice and Perez shared both a residence and a child together. Detectives learned that the two were engaged in an argument when Justice allegedly armed himself with a knife and attacked Perez. During the incident, a bystander intervened and shot Justice in an attempt to stop the assault.
Justice survived the gunshot wound and remains hospitalized under police supervision. Authorities confirmed that he will be arraigned on charges of second-degree murder once he is medically cleared. The bystander who shot Justice has been identified and questioned but is not facing charges, as police determined the act was defensive in nature.
History of Domestic Violence
Court records reveal that the stabbing was not the first time Perez endured violence at the hands of Justice. Just weeks prior, in July 2025, Justice was arrested and charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, third-degree assault, and larceny after allegedly assaulting Perez and stealing her cellphone. He was released on his own recognizance while those charges were pending.
Additionally, Justice is currently under indictment for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a 2023 shooting. That case remains open and awaiting adjudication.
These revelations have raised troubling questions about whether Perez’s death could have been prevented and whether earlier interventions might have spared her life.
Community Reaction
The fatal stabbing has sparked outrage and sorrow throughout the Rochester community. Neighbors on Spencer Street described Perez as a devoted mother and a kind, soft-spoken woman who tried to maintain a sense of normalcy despite visible struggles at home.
Advocates against domestic violence say Perez’s death underscores the urgency of addressing intimate partner violence, particularly in cases where victims remain vulnerable after reporting abuse. “This tragedy is heartbreaking, but unfortunately, it is not unique,” one local advocate noted. “Too often, victims who seek help still find themselves unprotected. We must do better to ensure their safety.”
Moving Forward
The Rochester Police Department confirmed that Perez and Justice’s child is now in safe care, though no further details were provided out of respect for the family’s privacy. Support services are being offered to relatives as they grieve the devastating loss.
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the fatal stabbing, but Justice is expected to face significant prison time if convicted of murder.
For those mourning Perez, her death is being remembered not only as a senseless act of violence but also as a call to action to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims in Rochester and beyond.
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse is urged to contact local resources or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, where help is available 24/7.