Arrest in downtown Wilmington murder

Chaz Collazo is accused of killing a 35-year-old man in downtown Wilmington last week. (photo courtesy Wilmington PD)

Chaz Collazo is accused of killing a 35-year-old man in downtown Wilmington last week. (photo courtesy Wilmington PD)

A fight inside an SUV ended in a stabbing murder in downtown Wilmington, according to police. They’ve arrested the man they say is responsible.

27-year-old Chaz Collazo is being held on $1.5 million cash bail on murder charges. Wilmington Police say he got into an altercation with 35-year-old Melvin Smith as they drove at an unknown location on Wednesday night, Dec. 7.

Eventually the two arrived at the intersection of 9th and Market St. in the heart of downtown Wilmington. That’s where police say Smith was found bleeding heavily from the neck. He died a short time later.

Collazo is now charged with first degree murder. He’s being held at Wilmington’s Young Correctional Facility.

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