TikTok troll charged with slaying innocent teen bystander during fight with angry mob over rape claims: sources
Andrew Tollinche, a 22-year-old TikTok influencer, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jonathan Melo during a chaotic confrontation at a Bronx apartment. Melo, who was not part of the mob confronting Tollinche over rape allegations, was fatally stabbed in the back amid the altercation. Tollinche had previously been charged with raping a pre-teen and was released with an ankle monitor before the fatal incident.
- ▪Andrew Tollinche was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.
- ▪Jonathan Melo was not part of the mob that confronted Tollinche and was at the scene for unclear reasons.
- ▪Tollinche had previously pleaded not guilty to rape and child endangerment charges related to a pre-teen.
- ▪Melo was pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital after being stabbed in the back.
- ▪Tollinche's lawyer described the killing as a tragedy and cited threats against his client since the rape allegations emerged.
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Metro TikTok troll charged with slaying innocent teen bystander during fight with angry mob over rape claims: sources By Joe Marino, Amanda Woods and David Propper Published May 1, 2026, 6:36 p.m. ET A TikTok troll was arrested and charged Friday with fatally stabbing a 17-year-old boy, who inadvertently got between the online-provocateur and an angry mob that came to his home to confront him over claims he raped a young child, sources said. Andrew Tollinche, 22, allegedly stabbed high school student Jonathan Melo in the back Wednesday after the teen victim got caught up in the showdown at a Bronx apartment, which was sparked when Tollinche dared people on TikTok to face him down over the sex allegations, law enforcement sources said.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at US News – Latest Breaking Headlines, Photos & Videos | New York Post.
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