Suspect remains at large in 2004 slaying

LYNN – A night of dancing and merriment turned deadly for 21-year-old Jose Peralta on Sept. 26, 2004.He had been enjoying time with friends at the former hot spot, Cache on Blossom Street, when he found himself entrenched in a brawl 200 people deep outside the club, ending up with a knife plunged deep into his heart, according to police.Lynn Police Captain Mark O?Toole said he may never know if Peralta was the one meant for the stabbing, or if he was just trying to defend one of his friends during the 2 a.m. melee.?It was a very chaotic scene,” O?Toole said. “We didn?t get a lot of cooperation from the people there, even though a lot of people saw what happened.”O?Toole said Peralta, whose nickname was “Chalupe,” was found clinging to life in a pool of blood in the parking lot when officers arrived on scene. Medical crews rushed him to Salem Hospital, where he died a short time later. Peralta?s autopsy report showed that he suffered a ? inch-long puncture wound to his heart.?Nothing would have saved him because he was stabbed in just the right spot,” O?Toole said.The report also detailed small abrasions on Peralta?s left cheek, under his chin, right knee, and elbow, all of which O?Toole said are consistent with having been involved in a fight.?It was probably someone who bumped into someone else and words were exchanged,” O?Toole said. “We don?t think it was gang-related.”The only clue that witnesses relayed to the police was that the suspects fled the scene in a large SUV.?We took a lot of fingerprints at the crime scene, but nothing that led to anyone being charged,” O?Toole said. “Words had been exchanged inside the club earlier that night and police were dispatched, but the argument resumed after everyone the club had closed.”Without further information, O?Toole said the case will be that much harder to solve, and that much harder to bring the suspects to justice.Peralta?s family members could not be reached.Anyone with information about this cold case is urged to call the police at 781-595-2000. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting the word tiplynn and the information to tip411. Tips can also be sent through the department?s website www.lynnpolice.org and clicking the “submit tip” icon.