Binghamton’s Salvation Army location on Washington Street is closing indefinitely after a fatal stabbing.
On Tuesday, 57-year-old Endicott resident Kevin Ray was fatally stabbed during a community meal at the Binghamton Salvation Army. Michael Brutvan, 37, was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Binghamton police said the two men knew each other. Brutvan was remanded to the custody of the Broome County Correctional Facility Wednesday.
The Binghamton location offered community meals, a food and hygiene pantry and church services.
Kraham announced the closure on social media Thursday. He told WSKG that he had spoken with Salvation Army officials, who had already planned to shut the site down for the next week temporarily after the fatal stabbing.
“This type of of human service activity, the way that it's it's designed, the way that it's managed, the physical space that it takes place in, and the proximity to all of the small businesses and visitors in our downtown urban core, it's just not conducive to a public safety perspective,” Kraham said.
Kraham said the nonprofit was not properly equipped, at the Washington St. location, to address potential public safety issues and clients with more complex needs. He said offering wraparound support services and mental health and substance use disorder treatment alongside food and shelter would address those needs.
“I would say that probably some decades ago, or prior to downtown being a different place, this probably was a good location for that level of social services, being centrally located, et cetera,” Kraham said. “But as downtown has changed, it no longer is really a good location for that type of thing, especially if there's not comprehensive, wraparound services and supports for the clients that are utilizing the space.”
Kraham said he does think some social services should be offered downtown, referencing the United Presbyterian warming shelter run by the Addiction Center of Broome County. Kraham said the warming center offers resources and services for residents dealing with substance use or mental health challenges.
"It is in a church on a campus, everything's inside," Kraham said. "People aren't queuing outside, from what I can tell. It seems to not be as much of an impact, versus Washington Street, with all these restaurants, small businesses next to the parking garage."
Kraham said there had been other public safety issues at the location, specifically referencing a fight in October 2023 that led to services being suspended.
“Tuesday's tragedy just put a fine point on the fact that that location is just not conducive, from a public safety standpoint, for the services that are being offered,” Kraham said. “And we're looking forward to working with the Salvation Army to make sure that there may be some mobile operations or other temporary operations that can provide some of the same services, but that it’s not happening on Washington St. downtown.”
The Salvation Army had already announced plans to move its Binghamton location from Washington St. to Walnut St. on the city’s West Side.
A spokesperson for the Salvation Army, said the nonprofit was “deeply shocked and heartbroken by this senseless act of violence, and we are praying for Mr. Ray’s family, loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragedy.”
“In light of this tragic incident, and out of deep concern for the safety and well-being of our clients, staff, and volunteers, The Salvation Army will comply with the Mayor of Binghamton’s request to suspend operations of the Food and Hygiene Pantry and Soup Kitchen at our Washington Street location.”
The spokesperson said anywhere from 100 to 200 people relied on the location daily for breakfast, dinner and other services, and that the nonprofit is working to identify temporary solutions to support those clients.
“As was always our plan, we will continue moving forward with the transition of our programs and services to our new facility on Walnut Street over the coming months,” the statement said. “This move is intended to enhance our ability to serve the community in a safe, supportive, and dignified environment.”