The Salvation Army will be opening a new facility in Binghamton one year after the former Washington Street location closed following a fatal stabbing.
Renovations are currently underway at the new location at 86 Walnut St., and a dedication service has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 13, according to the Salvation Army’s Binghamton Corps Captain Joseph Hansen.
On May 13, 2025, Kevin L. Ray, 57, of Endicott, was stabbed to death during a community meal hosted at the former location at 131 Washington St. Ray, who suffered wounds to his neck and shoulders, was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Michael W. Brutvan, 37, was detained by the Binghamton Police Department and charged with second-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 17 and his sentencing has been scheduled for June 22 in Broome County Court.
Two days after the stabbing, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced in a post on X that after speaking with officials from the Salvation Army, the Washington Street facility would be closed indefinitely. Since then, Hansen said the Salvation Army has been serving the community with a mobile canteen from the City of Jamestown Salvation Army while awaiting the opening of a permanent location.
“You never expect to have to deal with something like that when you sign up for ministry like this, but in the Salvation Army, we’re very flexible and we’re ready to pivot,” Hansen said.
The building at 86 Walnut St. was purchased over a year ago and cost $515,000. The area, Hansen said, is a “great spot” to serve the community.
“It’s in a residential area that has been deemed one of the most impoverished in the city, so we feel like this is a good location for us in terms of food and security programs and also for our spiritual and social programs,” he said.
In the months following the stabbing, Hansen said the Binghamton Salvation Army’s network of partners allowed them to continue some of their operations. The Salvation Army on Griswold Street, despite being permanently closed, allowed Hansen and his team to set up a food pantry in the parking lot. The American Legion Post 80 on Main Street and the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City did the same.
“We have fantastic partners in the community and they really came through for us in this time of crisis,” he said.
All services that were previously offered at the Washington Street location will soon be offered on Walnut Street, according to Hansen. This includes the soup kitchen, the food pantry and expanded spiritual and social programs for children, adults and seniors.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton Salvation Army opening new location on Walnut Street, year after stabbing
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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