SHENANDOAH — A Frackville man accused of stabbing a juvenile during a football game at Shenandoah Valley High School Stadium now faces an attempted homicide charge after the original charges were withdrawn and a new criminal case was filed.
Jose Louis Nunez-Ovando, 42, faces seven charges in the new case, including first-degree felony criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide. The complaint also includes the six offenses listed in the original case.
New Case Filed; Preliminary Hearing Scheduled
The new affidavit of probable cause provides additional details about the juvenile’s injuries. According to Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, the victim suffered a stab wound to the groin that narrowly missed an artery and a stab wound to the abdomen that resulted in a collapsed lung and a punctured liver.
The new case was filed . Nunez-Ovando remains in Schuylkill County Prison without bail. The docket states that no amount of bail or conditions would reasonably assure the safety of the community.
A preliminary hearing in the new case is scheduled for .
Seven Charges in the New Case
In addition to attempted homicide, the new case charges Nunez-Ovando with:
- Second-degree felony aggravated assault;
- First-degree misdemeanor possession of a weapon on school property;
- Second-degree misdemeanor simple assault;
- Second-degree misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person;
- Third-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct; and
- Summary harassment.
Police Describe Stadium Confrontation
The charges stem from a fight reported at approximately 9:13 p.m. on October 8 near the concession stand inside Shenandoah Valley High School Stadium, located at 900 West Coal Street.
Police allege Nunez-Ovando used a silver folding knife to stab the juvenile during the confrontation. The victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital–East in Pottsville before being airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest in Allentown. The new documents do not provide the victim’s current condition.
According to the affidavit, a concession stand worker told investigators he saw youths fighting and went to intervene. The worker reported seeing Nunez-Ovando holding a knife and said he believed he witnessed the stabbing before Nunez-Ovando put the knife back into his pocket.
A school resource officer told police that, after someone shouted about a knife, Nunez-Ovando acknowledged having it and handed it over. The officer later turned the knife over to state police.
Investigators also described reviewing stadium surveillance footage and a separate Snapchat video. Police allege the Snapchat video shows Nunez-Ovando removing a folding knife, unfolding it, and thrusting it toward the victim.
Nunez-Ovando’s Account to Investigators
During an interview with investigators, Nunez-Ovando said he had been trying to break up a fight involving his son. He told police another male punched him and had a knife, which he took and placed in his pocket, according to the affidavit.
Nunez-Ovando said he later handed the knife to a school officer and did not see anyone injured. Police reported observing a small cut on his right fist.
The charges are allegations, and Nunez-Ovando is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.