A Bronx man was handed a lengthy prison sentence this week after admitting he fatally stabbed his estranged wife, an off-duty New York City Police Department (NYPD) Transit Officer, in their Bronx apartment. The attack, which occurred in June 2022 while the couple’s young child was out of state with family, ended the life of a devoted officer and sparked calls for stronger awareness and prevention of domestic violence.
24 Years Behind Bars for First-Degree Manslaughter
Argenis Baez, 37, appeared in a Bronx courtroom where a judge sentenced him to 24 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the killing of his estranged wife, 31-year-old Arianna Reyes-Gomez. Prosecutors detailed how Baez lay in wait outside her Sedgwick Avenue apartment in the early morning hours of June 13, 2022, before attacking her shortly after she returned home.
According to authorities, the fatal stabbing occurred after Reyes-Gomez came back with a companion, who left the scene before Baez struck. She was stabbed multiple times, including in her chest and back, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Baez then fled but later surrendered to police.
Legacy of a Public Servant and Domestic Violence Awareness
Reyes-Gomez, a dedicated mother and NYPD officer since 2019, had been recognized for her courage in the line of duty, including administering life-saving aid on a Brooklyn subway earlier in her career. Her tragic death has been mourned by law enforcement colleagues and community members alike, with many publicly honoring her service and commitment.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark expressed that the sentence may offer some comfort to the grieving family, who has since turned its pain into advocacy against domestic violence. The case continues to resonate as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of intimate partner violenc
