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After three years of service as the only borough news outlet dedicated to local courts, crime and social justice issues, Bronx Justice News has ceased operations.
Motorcyclist Killed on Major Deegan Expressway
The motorcyclist was riding at a high rate of speed when he lost control and struck a light pole, according to police.
12-Year-Old Girl Shot in Mount Eden
A stray bullet struck the little girl’s ankle in a still-unsolved shooting Saturday.
Man Stabbed on Bronx No. 2 Train
A straphanger was stabbed in his head during a fight with two riders on an uptown No. 2 train in the Bronx Friday.
The Bronx Lags in COVID Vaccinations: Data
Just 34 percent of Bronxites have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Remote Learning to End in NYC Schools This Fall
This school year, 60 percent of the city’s students are learning remotely rather than attending in person classes.
De Blasio Sending More Cops into Subways
The added forces will bring the number of police in the subways to 3,000, the highest total in more than two decades.
CDC Approves Use of COVID Vaccines for Kids 12 to 15
The CDC’s decision makes about 17 million additional Americans eligible for vaccination.
Robert Smith Fatally Shot Outside Bronx Club
An unidentified shooter opened fire outside the RMM Lounge at 658 Dawson St., fatally wounding Smith in his head and back.
Man Charged in Bronx Synagogue Attacks
John Brunette, 29, is facing multiple charges include burglary as a hate crime.
Jameik Bishop, 18, Slain in Ambush Shooting
A still unidentified shooter wounded Bishop in his his face, chest and shoulder outside his East 225th Street home about 11 p.m. Saturday.
Police Probe Antisemitic Incidents at Four Bronx Jewish Centers
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is probing six attacks targeting the Riverdale Jewish Center, Chabad of Riverside, Young Israel of Riverdale and the Adath Israel conservative synagogue.
Christopher Bridges Fatally Shot in Longwood
The 58-year-old died in Longwood Tuesday after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Bronx Man Charged with Anti-Asian Hate Crime
Daniel Negroni, 31, allegedly went after the 25-year-old woman on the East Side, calling her “Coronavirus Asian” and telling her “I should punch you,” according to the NYPD.
Construction Worker Fatally Shot on City Island
Lizbeth Mass, who worked as a construction site flagger, was shot multiple times around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NYPD.
COVID Vaccines Being Sent to Bronx Colleges
The state is sending COVID-19 vaccines directly to colleges and universities across the state, including those in the Bronx, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.
Man Shot Four Times in Williamsbridge
Police are searching for a gunman who pumped four bullets into a 24-year-old man during an argument in Williamsbridge Thursday night.
Homicides on the Rise in NYC: Data
The NYPD tallied 34 murders last month, up from 25 in March 2020, the department said.
Asian Senior Citizen Punched by Attacker in the Bronx
The unidentified assailant approached from behind and socked the victim in his face—the latest in a wave of anti-Asian crimes reported in New York City amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nelson Caban Killed in Drive-by on Bruckner Expressway
Detectives are investigating whether road rage played a role in Tuesday’s killing.
New Law Makes Weed Legal in New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law Wednesday making weed legal for New Yorkers over 21—and expunging scores of convictions for people prosecuted under the old marijuana laws.
Bronxites Over 30 Now Eligible for COVID Vaccine
State authorities said residents 16 and older will become eligible for the shots beginning the week of April 6.
Tuesday Marks 14th Anniversary of Gorenberg Murder
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detectives collected numerous DNA samples for testing in the Gorenberg case, hoping to match them with the unknown person’s DNA found in Randi’s SUV after her murder.
Delila Vasquez Found Slain in Bronx Apartment
The 20-year-old was shot in her head inside a Hull Avenue apartment shortly after 10 p.m. Monday.
IRS Pushes Tax Deadline to May 17
By Eric Klein [email protected] The IRS on Wednesday announced they are pushing back the federal income tax filing due date. The deadline for individual filings for […]
Bronx Man Killed in Drive-by Shooting
Daijon Dessasore, 24, was seated with a friend inside an idling vehicle when an unidentified shooter opened fire.
Some Bronxites Could Get $1,400 Stimulus Checks This Weekend
The checks are part of the $1.9 billion trillion COVID stimulus bill President Joe Biden signed into law Thursday.
Austin Babb Exonerated in 2010 Bronx Murder; Freed After Five Years in Prison
To build the case against Babb, police used a five year old photo of him in photo lineups – showing him at age 15 – then failed to alert prosecutors to instances in which witnesses failed to identify him as the culprit.
NYPD School Safety Agent Arrested for Assault
Christopher Martinez, 50, was off duty when cops busted him on two counts of assault in the confines of the 41st Precinct.
Unemployment Benefits Boost to Continue Through Sept. 6
The latest version of the bill — which still needs to be approved in the House of Representatives — extends the $300 per week federal unemployment enhancement through Sept. 6.
Man Fatally Shot on Boston Road
Detectives are searching for a killer who shot a 27-year-old man to death in the Bronx Thursday morning.
Co-op City Gets Standalone Vaccination Site
Just eight percent of the complex’s residents — the property is home to more than 15,300 apartments — have been vaccinated thus far, city data show.
Families Separated at Border Under Trump May be Allowed to Stay in U.S.
The Trump administration’s family separation policy led to roughly 2,800 families being separated at the southern border, fueling criticism from human rights groups across the globe.
Blackouts Continue at Co-op City After Woman’s Death
Thousands of additional tenants were without power Sunday in the sprawling complex.
Woman Runs Out of Oxygen, Dies During Co-op City Blackout
A woman died during a power outage in Co-Op City Friday when her portable oxygen tank ran out as she climbed the stairs to the 19th floor, authorities said.
Bronx Teen Killed in Yonkers Crash
Abdlwahab Abushaar, 17, died of injuries suffered during a wreck Thursday on the Saw Mill River Parkway.
Two Slain in Separate Bronx Homicides
Adam Saunders and Anthony Castillo were slain in separate homicides in the Bronx Monday night.
Grim Milestone Reached as U.S. Surpasses 500,000 Confirmed COVID Deaths
Because many recently deceased Americans were not tested for the virus, the official number of coronavirus deaths is likely a substantial undercount, experts believe.
People of Color Pay More Than Double the Bank Fees of Whites: Survey
The Bankrate survey shows Latinos are paying an average of $14 per month for checking during the pandemic, while Black people are paying $12 a month.
Biden Administration Places New Limits on ICE Deportations
Officials said there will be more oversight of ICE officers, and a more rigorous approval process for officers seeking to deport.
AG Sues Amazon Over COVID Safety Failures, Employee Retaliation
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, argues that Amazon’s actions violated New York labor, whistleblower protection, and anti-retaliation laws.
Three Men Shot, One Killed, in Mount Eden
An open-air gun battle left two men wounded and another dead from his injuries in the Bronx Tuesday night, authorities said.
MTA to Lengthen Overnight Subway Hours Starting Next Week
The MTA will lengthen overnight service hours on the subway starting next Monday, the agency announced this week.
Bronx Cop Charged With Assaulting His Toddler Son
Freddy Difo, 29, is charged with assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child, according to the NYPD.
High Levels of Toxins Being Inhaled by Riders in Subway: Study
New York City’s transit system exposes riders to more inhaled pollutants than any other subway system in the Northeaster, according to a new study from NYU.
HUD to Probe Discrimination Based on Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued a memorandum stating that “HUD interprets the Fair Housing Act to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and directing HUD offices and recipients of HUD funds to enforce the Act accordingly,” according to the agency.
Poll Shows Andrew Yang With Big Lead in Mayoral Race
The poll, conducted by Fontas Advisors and Core Decision Analytics, found Yang garnering early support from 28 percent of likely Democratic primary voters.
Substitute Teachers Asked to Pay Back COVID Benefits
Several teachers told Bronx Justice News they received letters that legally require them to pay back COVID-19 unemployment benefit funds, which were distributed as part of an expanded benefits program last summer.
Man Killed in West Farms Shooting
Christian Gellibert died of bullet wounds to his torso, inflicted at the corner of Vyse Avenue and East 181st Street, according to police.
Lawyers File Bronx Petition Demanding NYC Prisoners Be Offered Vaccine
The filing names two Rikers Island prisoners, Charles Holden and Alberto Frias, who fear the unsafe conditions in DOC custody.
Bronxites With Pre-Existing Health Issues Next in Line for COVID Vaccine
New Yorkers with a range of pre-existing health issues will be eligible to receive the coveted COVID-19 vaccine beginning Feb. 15, officials announced this week.
Man Shot Dead at Mill Brook Houses
The 42-year old victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds during an attack at the NYCHA complex.
Less Than Two Percent of Americans Fully Vaccinated: CDC
At least 70 percent of the population would have to be fully vaccinated for a pre-pandemic sense of normalcy to return, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Blacks, Latinos Receiving Fewer Vaccine Doses than Whites in NYC
White New York City residents are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at disproportionately higher rates than their Black and Latino neighbors, new data show.
Homeless Man in Car May Have Frozen to Death
The man, in his 30s, was discovered in a parked car in Claremont during one of the coldest stretches of winter.
Biden Signs Order Restoring Access to Obamacare, Medicaid
The president signed an executive order Thursday restoring access to Obamacare and Medicaid for scores of struggling Americans, stating he was undoing “the damage” caused by President Trump.
NYPD Officer Daniel Vargas Shot in Soundview; Expected to Recover
Vargas is a member of the department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division, tasked with taking illegal guns off the streets.
Strike by Hunts Point Market Workers Ends with Small Wage Increase
Workers will receive a phased in increase of $1.85 per hour over the next three years, authorities said, along with employee health care contributions.
Police Kill Bronx Man They Say Charged Them Holding Knife
A man police said chased a woman down with a knife before charging at narcotics officers was fatally shot by cops Thursday.
Striking Workers Arrested at Hunts Point Market Amid Large Police Operation
The picketing members of Teamsters local 202, who are on strike over management’s failure to increase pay by $1 for employees at the market during a devastating pandemic, were issued summonses for disorderly conduct.
Bronx Man Fatally Shot Near Crotona Park
Jamal W. Hunter, 27, was killed by an unidentified shooter across the street from Crotona Park Sunday about 1:07 a.m., according to the NYPD.
NYC Running Out of COVID Vaccine, Says De Blasio
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will exhaust its current supply of COVID-19 vaccine within two weeks, amid a disastrous federal rollout of the widely awaited shots.
State AG Seeks Federal Oversight for NYPD, Citing Abuse of Protesters
The lawsuit marks the first time the empire state’s AG has ever sued the city’s police force.
Fire Injures 12, Four Critically, at Sotomayor Houses
The fire started shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday in the seven-story public housing complex on Watson Avenue, spreading to multiple apartments before firefighters knocked down the flames.
Mass Vaccination Site Opens in Morrisania Amid COVID Surge
New York City opened its first mass vaccination site for COVID-19 vaccinations in the Bronx this week, turning the Bathgate Contract Postal Station into a public health hub focused on getting shots into the arms of at-risk residents.
Bronx Drivers Trapped in Cars Amid Flooding, as Borough’s Infrastructure Crumbles
A catastrophic water main break in the Bronx left drivers trapped in their cars as water flooded the Cross Bronx Expressway Thursday—the latest emergency caused by the borough’s crumbling infrastructure.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea Infected With COVID
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea – the leader of America’s largest police force – has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency said.
COVID Positivity Rate Over 18 Percent in Wakefield
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in the Bronx have reached staggering levels in some parts of the borough, new data show.
Man Killed, Second Victim Wounded at NYCHA Complex
The deceased. Terrell Liebert, 26, of the Bronx, as well as an 18-year-old, surviving victim, were found with bullet wounds at the public housing complex Sunday.
Benefits Boost: Extra $300 in Unemployment Checks Starting Next Week
Bronx residents will begin receiving enhanced unemployment benefits starting next week—a much needed lifeline in the borough hardest hit by COVID-19.
Arrest Made in Killing of Bronx Teen James Solano
Marquis Beckford, 22, is accused of fatally shooting Solano in his neck outside a Morrisania deli last Wednesday, authorities said.
Another Young Man Killed Amid Wave of Bronx Gun Violence
A 26-year-old man man was fatally shot about 8:50 p.m. Tuesday during an argument with another man at the corner of Aqueduct Avenue and West 184th Street in University Heights.
Man Fatally Shot at Bronx Basketball Court
A 20-year old man was fatally shot at a NYCHA property in Fordham Heights Saturday, authorities said.
Detectives Hunt Killer of Bronx Teen James Solano
A gunman wearing a white COVID mask shot the 16-year-old at point-blank range in Morrisania, surveillance video shows.
Teen Shot to Death Outside Morrisania Grocery
James Solano was struck by gunfire outside the King Deli and Grocery on Boston Road about 12:10 Wednesday before staggering inside the store.
State Extends COVID Rent Relief Program
The government will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord.
Man Charged in Killing of Bronx Sex Worker
Baron George is accused of fatally stabbing Brizjel Kemp, 36, inside the Holiday Motel on the New England Thruway, after meeting her on an escort site.
Six-Figure Heist Probed at Bronx Jewelry Store
One of the masked robbers pistol-whipped an employee of A&K Jewelry on Southern Boulevard in Foxhurst before he and his accomplice made off with necklaces and pendants from behind the service counter.
Twelve-Year-Old Boy Stabbed in Bronx
The child showed up at Jacobi Hospital with critical injuries Thursday, wounds he said he suffered in a stabbing attack on Fish Avenue.
Teenager Critically Wounded in Pelham Shooting
Authorities found the teen outside a Wallace Avenue building around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday with gunshot wounds to his neck and abdomen.
With Virus Spreading, No. 1 Train Riders Face Extensive Closures
The commute for straphangers on the No. 1 train is about to get a lot tougher starting Dec. 28, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic.
First Batches of COVID Vaccine Arrive in Hunts Point
More than 70,000 doses of the vaccine will reach the city this week as part of an initial shipment, authorities said.
On Thirteenth Anniversary of Boca Mall Murders, Answers Still Elusive
By Kevin Deutsch and Sasha Gonzales [email protected], [email protected] BOCA RATON, FL.— Saturday marks the 13th anniversary of the killings of Nancy and Joey Bochicchio at […]
Bronx Infant’s Death Ruled Homicide from Fentanyl Overdose
The 9-month-old boy, Dante Steer-Cooman, was lifeless when police arrived at the Wakefield residence where he lay unconscious Feb. 14.
NYC Homeless Shelter Population at Record Levels: Report
With more single adults sleeping in shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic than at any time in history, advocates urged Governor Cuomo to prioritize permanent supportive housing in a press conference Wednesday.
Correction Officers Charged With Felonies in Parking Placard Scheme
Five people—including four Department of Correction Officers—have been indicted for using forged New York City disability parking placards, Bronx prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Judge: Trump Administration Must Restore DACA
New York federal court Judge Nicholas Garaufis’ order says the Department of Homeland Security must announce by Monday that it will resume approval of applications for DACA slots and work permits, which ceased in 2017.
NYC Shootings Nearly Double in 2020
Shootings have risen nearly 96 percent this year compared to last within the five boroughs, with the NYPD reporting a 112 percent increase in November alone, according to the latest department statistics.
Recording Artist Joey Pabon Fatally Shot in Bronx Building
An unidentified gunman opened fire on the victim, whose name was not been released, about 7:40 p.m. at the Grand Concourse building, striking him in his chest and back, according to the NYPD.
Letter to the Editor: Seabrook’s COVID Concern a “Sorry Excuse” for Avoiding Prison
By Celestino P. Monclova After finding out that Norman Seabrook’s attorney has filed a new motion arguing that the COVID 19 pandemic may be fatal […]
Norman Seabrook, Corrupt Union Boss, Wants to Serve Prison Time at Home
Seabrook, who headed the powerful correction officers union more than two decades, and helped instill a culture of violence and corruption on Rikers Island, was convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges related to kickbacks he accepted.
Detectives Probe Killing of Belmont Mother
Teresita Rosario, 59, was found slain in her basement Saturday night. Police are searching for her 29-year-old son, who they have identified as a person of interest in the case.
Man Critically Wounded in Longwood Shooting
A gunman shot and critically wounded a 31-year-old man on 163rd Street in the Bronx Tuesday, authorities said.
Workers Discover Corpse at Bronx Golf Course
Maintenance workers at the Mosholu Golf Course on Jerome Avenue found the corpse in a wooded area shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Man Killed, Woman Injured in Mott Haven Stabbings
A man wielding a knife came at the victims about 4 p.m. Tuesday on East 149th St. near Courtlandt Avenue, following an argument in the street, according to the NYPD.
De Blasio Pleads with Feds for New COVID Stimulus
Between April and September, about $40 billion in federal stimulus money was used to soften the economic blow in New York, much of it on unemployment benefits and paycheck protection.
Woman Fatally Stabbed at Bronx Motel
The 36-year-old was slain in a room at the Holiday Motel, her body discovered around 10 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Food Giveaway Draws Over 1,000 in South Bronx
Struggling families waited in line for hours amid the borough’s ongoing economic crisis.
Bronx Prosecutor Sues Over Sexual Harassment, Retaliation in SVU
Heba Abdelaal, a Muslim woman working cases in the DA’s office Special Victims Unit, says her supervisor showed her pictures of a defendant’s penis and sexually harassed her within a unit rife with unlawful behavior.
Man Killed in Bronx Drive-By Shooting
Dashan Carver was killed when an unidentified shooter sprayed a barrage of bullets outside a food store early Tuesday.
NYPD Officer Arrested for Beating His Wife on City Island
Robert Castillo, 51, was off duty when he landed the facial blow on the victim and tossed her against a wall at her City Island address, leaving her with cuts and bruises, according to prosecutors.
Chad Wolf’s DACA Suspension Unlawful, Says Federal Judge
A federal judge Saturday ruled that Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf ascended to his position unlawfully, thus invalidating his suspension of DACA — the Obama-era program that protected thousands of Bronx residents from deportation.
De Blasio: Parents Should Prepare for COVID School Closures Early as Monday
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said parents should be prepared for schools to close as early as Monday, amid another rise in coronavirus infections.
Thirteen-Year-Old Girl Shot in Soundview
The teenager was hanging out with a small group of friends on Seward Avenue when the shooter walked up and started shooting about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NYPD.
Teens Arrested in Slaying of Young Mom in Mount Eden
A 15-year-old boy and girl have been charged in the homicide of a 20-year-old mom stabbed to death in her father’s Bronx apartment building last week, authorities said.
Corpses of Infant Boys Found Wrapped, Discarded in the Bronx
The superintendent of a Concourse building made the grisly discovery Monday afternoon.
Unemployment Rate Falls to 19 Percent in Bronx County, Highest in the State
Despite being down from 24.7 percent in June, the borough’s current unemployment numbers remain comparable to those calculated during the Great Depression—a result of to job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo to Deploy National Guard to Airports for COVID Enforcement
Gov. Andrew Cuomo will deploy National Guard troops to city airports to ensure arriving passengers have proof of a recent, negative coronavirus test, the governor said Friday.
Homeless Bicyclist Killed in Bronx Collision
Michael Larino, 22, was killed when his bicycle collided with a tractor trailer in Mott Haven Thursday, authorities said.
Torres Heading to Congress to Represent South Bronx
The crusading Bronx Councilman, who grew up in NYCHA public housing, defeated Republican Patrick Delices on Tuesday to become the first gay Black-Latino ever to reach Congress.
Young Mom Fatally Stabbed in Mount Eden
Nyla Bond, 20, was stabbed in her chest by an unidentified killer around 6:45 p.m. Monday, according to the NYPD.
Obamacare Enrollment Period Begins Sunday
Demand for Obamacare’s taxpayer-subsidized policies could soar in the weeks ahead, even as the Trump administration seeks the popular program’s repeal.
In Historic First, Black Woman Named NYPD Chief of Patrol
The NYPD on Thursday named Juanita Holmes the department’s chief of patrol, making her the highest ranking woman in city police history.
Protesters Sue NYPD, de Blasio Over Floyd Crackdown
Demonstrators brutalized by the NYPD in the wake of George Floyd’s killing are suing the police and Mayor Bill de Blasio, alleging violation of the First and Fourth Amendments, a new lawsuit says.
Fire Kills Five-Year-Old Boy in Melrose Houses
An apartment fire inside a Bronx NYCHA complex left a 5-year-old boy dead and his 38-year-old mother critically injured Monday, authorities said.
Sewage From Mount Vernon Polluting Bronx Waterways, Killing Wildlife
Sewage from the pipe system in Westchester County is polluting the Hutchinson River, Bronx River, and Eastchester Bay in the Bronx, killing large numbers of fish.
Man Plunges Through Collapsed Sidewalk in Belmont
A 33-year-old man was injured when a section of sidewalk collapsed beneath him Saturday, authorities said.
Man Stabbed to Death Outside Bronx Pizzeria
An unidentified stabber put a knife in Kevin Smith’s back outside Bedford Pizza on Bedford Park Boulevard Friday, according to the NYPD.
Bronx DA to Trade iPads, Cash Cards for Operable Guns
Amid a surge in shootings in the borough, DA Darcel Clark’s Office is partnering with the Yankees to trade Apple tablets for street guns.
NYU Study: Nearly a Quarter of Transit Workers Contracted COVID
A pilot study by researchers at New York University found roughly 24 percent of frontline transit workers in New York City contracted coronavirus—and likely got the disease at work.
Teen Girl Slain Inside Bronx Nightclub, Two Others Wounded
Wendolin Ortiz, 19, suffered terminal injuries, while two other victims, men aged 28 and 30, are expected to recover.
Bill Would Ban NYPD Collection of DNA From Kids
The City Council introduced legislation that wound ban the NYPD’s collection of DNA from children under 18 without consent from a guardian or attorney.
Two Teens Shot at St. Mary’s Park Houses in Melrose
A shooting at the project Thursday night left two boys with bullet wounds, authorities said.
Cop Who Ran Over Bronx Woman was Going Twice the Speed Limit: NYPD
The NYPD patrol vehicle that fatally struck Sophia Gomez was speeding down Pelham Parkway at nearly 60 miles per hour when the crash happened, Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
Bronx Man Borough’s Latest Homicide Victim
Dante Young suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his torso shortly after 6:35 p.m. Monday.
AG to Probe NYPD Vehicular Homicide of Bronx Woman
The office of state Attorney General Leticia James will probe the killing of a 20-year-old Bronx woman by a police officer who struck her with an NYPD patrol car, authorities said.
Woman Killed by NYPD Patrol Car in The Bronx
Sophia Gomez, who lived on Pelham Parkway near the site of the fatal crash, died Thursday night at Jacobi Hospital.
Otis Bantum Correctional Center to Close on Rikers Island
The prisoners held at OBC will be transferred to the island’s other facilities, which are being phased out in advance of their replacement by smaller borough jails, yet to be constructed.
Man Shot in Stomach After Parkchester Dispute
By Kevin [email protected] A 22-year-old man was seriously wounded by gunfire in the Bronx Tuesday following a dispute with the shooter, authorities said. The victim […]
Andy King Expelled From City Council After Latest Ethics Complaint
Immediately following the 48-2 vote, King filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging unlawful treatment by the city, including racial discrimination.
Bronx County Clerk’s Office Raided Amid Corruption Probe; Clerk Luis Diaz Suspended
Luis Diaz, who has served as Bronx County Clerk since 2009, is being investigated by the office of New York Attorney General Leticia James, authorities said.
NYPD Officers Will be Punished for Failure to Wear COVID Masks: Memo
Police in the Bronx are routinely seen in public not wearing masks, despite the borough experiencing higher COVID-19 positivity rates than the rest of the city during much of this year.
New Smartphone App Alerts Users to Possible COVID Exposure
A new smartphone app can alert Bronx residents when they come in contact with someone infected with COVID-19, state officials said Thursday.
NYPD Crackdown in Bronx was Human Rights Violation, Says International Watchdog
“The New York City police blocked people from leaving before the curfew and then used the curfew as an excuse to beat, abuse, and arrest people who were protesting peacefully,” said Ida Sawyer, co-author of the Human Rights Watch report. “It was a planned operation with no justification that could cost New York taxpayers millions of dollars.”
Bronx Cop Arrested on Assault Charge
Ariel Victor Castillo, 41, is accused of punching his own brother at a party.
Bronx Grindr Date Ends in Homicide
A Grindr date turned deadly Sunday when a killer fatally slashed his sex partner with a machete in the Bronx, authorities said.
Two Women Struck by Stray Bullets in Mott Haven
The victims, ages 33 and 40, suffered non-life threatening wounds in Saturday’s shooting outside the Mill Brook Houses.
Teen Girl Among Three Bronx Residents Killed in Crash
Two men, ages 22 and 24, also perished in the accident, which motorists reported shortly before 2:30 a.m. Friday in the parkway’s eastbound lanes, in Mount Vernon.
Indictment in Murder of Bronx Basketball Star
A Bronx man has been indicted in the homicide of Brandon Hendricks, a 17-year-old high school basketball player killed by a stray bullet in June.
Eight-Year-Old Girl Shot at Patterson Houses
The child suffered a gunshot wound to her stomach shortly after 9 a.m. inside her family’s apartment in Mott Haven. Her mother rushed her to Lincoln Hospital, where she is recovering and expected to survive, authorities said.
Bronx Deemed Part of “Anarchist Jurisdiction” by DOJ
The Department of Justice on Monday placed New York City on a list of municipalities it considers “anarchist jurisdictions,” a designation aimed at stripping the five boroughs of badly needed federal funds.
Columbus Statue Protesters Met with Racist Chants in the Bronx
A group of demonstrators calling for removal of the last Christoper Columbus statue in the Bronx was met Saturday by a crowd of angry counterprotesters, who shouted threats and chanted racist slogans.
Man Shot Execution-Style in Mott Haven
Felix Medina suffered terminal injuries around 4 p.m. Thursday when an unidentified gunman opened fire on East 141st Street, squeezing off bullets until Medina was dead.
City Adds Sanitation Trucks Amid COVID Trash Crisis
The city’s fleet of garbage trucks has been scaled back this year amid reduced trash pickup—a result of coronavirus-related budget cuts.
NYC Homicides Surpass Last Year’s Total: Data
At least 321 people have been slain by killers in the five boroughs since Jan. 1, eclipsing the 319 homicides tallied by police citywide last year, according to NYPD data.
Man Slain Outside Monroe Houses as Deadly Weekend Continues
Ezequiel Rivera, a NYCHA tenant, suffered at least one fatal gunshot wound to the chest in front of the Monroe Houses in Soundview about 9:15 a.m. Sunday.
Two Gun Homicides in the Bronx Amid Violent Weekend
The gunshot victims, ages 23 and 25, were killed in a pair of shootings early Saturday morning.
Crotona Park School Closed After Positive COVID Tests
The campus of PS 811X will remain closed for 24 hours in accordance with the city’s safety measures, authorities said.
Man Shot Dead Crossing Street in Wakefield
By Sasha Gonzales and Kevin Deutsch [email protected] , [email protected] A 40-year-old man was fatally shot in his head in Wakefield Thursday morning, authorities said. The […]
School Buses Will be Ready for Bronx Students: de Blasio
Bus companies will cover 2,470 general education routes and 5,962 special education routes, ensuring “bus service will be available to all children who need it,” the mayor said.
Bronx Judge Dismisses Summonses Issued During George Floyd Protests
A Bronx judge on Friday dismissed 312 summonses the NYPD issued to protestors arrested at a June 4 demonstration decrying the police killing of George Floyd.
Gang Connection Probed in Hunts Point Homicide
Jose Rivera, 35, was shot in his torso about 10 p.m. Friday, dying a short time later at a local hospital.
Outdoor Learning Coming to Bronx Schools this Fall
Priority is being given to schools in communities where COVID-19 caused the most infections and deaths, including hard-hit parts of the Bronx.
Domestic Dispute Leads to Homicide in Morris Heights
When the fight between Bashawn Bryant, 40, and his fiancée turned into a physical confrontation, the woman’s 20-year-old son fatally stabbed Bryant in their residence on Davidson Avenue, according to the NYPD.
Group Representing Cops of Color Slams PBA’s Endorsement of Trump
The PBA’s endorsement comes amid widespread uprisings against police violence, including shootings that routinely kill Black and brown Americans.
Man Shot in Back Inside Volkswagen
The victim, whose name was not immediately released, suffered three gunshots wounds to his back, and a fourth to his leg, while inside a 2019 Volkswagen.
Bronx DA to Dismiss Summonses Issued During NYPD Crackdown
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Tuesday said her office will move to dismiss more than 300 summonses the NYPD issued to protestors arrested at a June 4 demonstration decrying the police killing of George Floyd.
Transgender Woman Found Dead on Orchard Beach
Authorities will conduct an autopsy to determine how the woman died before being discovered near Orchard Beach Road and Park Drive shortly after 6 a.m. Monday, authorities said.
Two Men Fatally Stabbed in the Bronx
Two Bronx men were stabbed to death during another violent weekend in the borough.
Effort to Remove Columbus Statue in the Bronx Gains Steam
Felix Cepeda, whose petition has gained national interest, said the statue in the borough’s Belmont neighborhood should be hauled away by the city amid a national reckoning with anti-Black racism.
Reward Increased in Slaying of Bronx Mom Priscilla Vasquez
A $10,000 reward has been announced for information leading to an arrest in the killing of 25-year-old Bronx resident Priscilla Vasquez.
“Draconian” Cuts Loom for Subway, Bus Service in Bronx
Subways and buses could see a whopping 40 percent cut to service without billions in new federal stimulus funds, the head of the MTA said this week.
Mother of Three Fatally Shot in Melrose
At least one bullet struck Priscilla Vasquez in the back of her head as she stood with friends outside a school on East 152nd Street near Courtlandt Avenue about 5 a.m. Saturday, according to police.
Two Men Fatally Shot in Tremont Amid Deadliest Summer in Years
Two men were shot and killed in separate homicides in Tremont Friday, continuing one of the deadliest summers the Bronx has seen in years, authorities said.
City’s Unregulated DNA Database Keeps Growing: Attorneys
New York City’s citizen DNA database has ballooned to include more than 33,800 genetic profiles—2,000 more than the NYPD disclosed in February, the Legal Aid Society said this week.
A Third of Bronx Residents Tested Have Coronavirus Antibodies: Data
The Bronx’s impoverished communities of color have been hardest hit by the pandemic, laying bare disturbing racial inequities in health care and access to treatment.
Man Fatally Shot in Soundview
Anthony Martin, 27, was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car on Beach Avenue about 8:20 p.m. Saturday when someone fired a gunshot into his torso.
In Boon to Bronx, Domino’s to Add Thousands of Jobs
The pizza chain said it’s franchise stores are looking to fill multiple positions including delivery experts, pizza makers, customer service representatives, managers, and assistant managers.
Gunman Fired Ten Shots into Morrisania Apartment: NYPD
Police are hunting a gunman who fired ten shots through the window of a Morrisania apartment, blasting away from the street until his clip was empty, authorities said.
New Apartments Catering to Poor, Homeless Open in Hunts Point
Operated by the nonprofit social service organization Community Access, the Bruckner
Boulevard building cost $87 million to construct and is currently accepting applications.
CDC: Coronavirus Ravaging Communities of Color
A new report from the CDC says long-standing health and social inequities have resulted in increased risk for infection, severe illness, and death from COVID-19 in communities of color across America.
Arrest Made in Murder of Trans Victim
Alpha Diallo, of Morris Heights, is charged with murder, manslaughter, and weapon possession in the fatal stabbing of Tiffany Harris, 32, who Diallo allegedly killed in an apartment building roughly a mile from her home, according to the NYPD.
No Charges in 2019 Killing by NYPD Officer
Bronx DA Darcel Clark said the shooting of Kawaski Trawick, 32, inside his non-profit housing unit in Morris Heights last year was “tragic,” but that criminal charges in the case were “not appropriate.”
Killer Sentenced to Twenty Years in 1999 Stabbing
Curtis Batchelor, 44, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killing of Elsa Grullon, 56, who Batchelor stabbed more than twenty times in the face, neck and chest with a knife while he raped her in May 1999, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
Man Slain Over Flicked Cigarette in Morrisania
A 36-year-old man was shot dead Saturday night – in front of his terrified wife – after he mistakenly flicked a cigarette in the direction of his soon-to-be killer, authorities said.
Teen Stabbed, Beaten in Soundview Attack
Video of the attack shows the 14-year-old boy being pummeled by an attacker about 5 p.m. on July 30 as a second attacker runs from the scene on Soundview Avenue, according to the NYPD.
Man Charged with Anti-Asian Crime in Melrose
Billy Rosario, 39, of the Bronx, is charged with aggravated harassment in Friday’s incident aboard a northbound No. 5 train shortly after 8 a.m, according to the NYPD.
Tropical Storm Isaias Slams Bronx, Leaves 23,000 Without Electricity
Con Edison on Thursday was still working to restore power to Bronx residents after more than 23,000 customers lost electricity in the borough due to Tropical Storm Isaias, authorities said.
Exclusive: Commercial DNA Testing Company to Perform “Genetic Genealogy” on Crime Scene DNA in NY
State officials this week granted a permit to a private company to perform genetic genealogy testing and other controversial genetic analysis on crime scene DNA samples in New York – the first license of its kind ever issued here.
Two People Shot at Soundview Memorial Vigil
Two more people were wounded by gunfire in Soundview Monday, days after a young father died by homicide in the same neighborhood, authorities said.
Young Bronx Dad Killed in Soundview
Shaiquan Wilson, 21, who recently became a dad, was killed by a masked gunman about 10:40 p.m. Friday in Soundview, according to police.
Local Man Shot to Death in Allerton
Forest Byrd, attending a late-night cookout at a playground near his home, was gunned down about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the NYPD.
City to Cede Control of Bronx Domestic Violence Shelters
The nonprofit organization Volunteers of America-Greater New York will take over the operation of two domestic violence shelters in the Bronx, with the city ceding control amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bronx Zoo Apologizes For “Unconscionable” Racism in Displaying African Man, Promoting Eugenics
The operator of this Bronx Zoo apologized this week for acts “unconscionable racial intolerance” the zoo demonstrated when it exhibited an African man as an exotic animal and promoted the long-debunked study of racial science known as eugenics.
Trans Victim Slain in The Bronx
Tiffany Harris, 32, was found stabbed inside an apartment building hallway around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, roughly a mile from the victim’s own residence, according to the NYPD.
Unemployment Rate Spikes in Bronx, Reaching Depression Era Levels: Data
The rate stands at a startling 24.7 percent in the Bronx, higher than the citywide unemployment rate of 20.4 percent, according to newly released statistics from the state Department of Labor.
Hell’s Angels Members Charged in Killing of Pagans Leader
The arrests come amid a territorial war between the Pagans and Hell’s Angels motorcycle gangs in the Bronx
Electeds Rally to Condemn Spate of Killings in The Bronx
Bronx Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and District Attorney Darcel Clark led an anti-violence rally Monday in response to a recent surge in shootings and homicides in Claremont and Concourse.
Teen Girl Charged With Killing, Leaving Bronx Man on McDonald’s Roof
An 18-year-old girl has been charged with murder for her alleged role in the killing of a Bronx man found wrapped in plastic on a McDonald’s roof in Melrose, authorities said.
Corpse Found on McDonald’s Roof in Melrose
An autopsy will determine the man’s cause of death and whether he’s a homicide victim, authorities said .
Two Men Fatally Shot in Highbridge
Police responding to reports of a crowd gathered on Sedgwick Avenue Thursday found the men inside the parked vehicle with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads.
Opinion: Dismantle the Bronx Political Machine
There’s been lots of talk lately of dismantling corrupt systems, mostly in relation to police brutality. But there’s another system that needs tearing down down if New Yorkers are to achieve true justice.
Bronx Hoops Star Killed in Morris Heights
Innocent bystander Brandon Hendricks, 17, was shot in his neck on Davidson Avenue while attending a birthday barbecue in Morris Heights shortly before midnight Sunday, police said.
Exclusive: DEA Probing Drug Looting, Burglaries at Hundreds of Pharmacies Amid Unrest
“At this time, these appear to be crimes of opportunity,” DEA spokesman Michael Miller said of the strikes on pharmacies. “DEA has not seen evidence of a coordinated effort.”
Electeds to NYPD: Probe Nooses in Van Cortlandt Park
Bronx elected officials Monday denounced the nooses discovered in Van Cortlandt Park last week, calling on law enforcement to “thoroughly” investigate the incident and treat it “with the seriousness that it demands.”
Nooses Spotted Hanging on Trees in Van Cortlandt Park
Two Bronx man said they discovered nooses hanging in trees in Van Cortlandt Park Thursday night, hours before the official commemoration of Juneteenth, authorities said.
Bronx Man Slain in Morrisania Homicide
Rashidi Goddard, 34, and a second male victim, also 34, were shot on Franklin Avenue near East 167th Street shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Teenager Dead From Stray Bullet
A 19-year-old girl died and three other young people were injured by gunfire in a shooting at Shoelace Park in the Bronx Friday, authorities said.
Bronx Cops Brutalized Teen They Mistook for Looter: Family
The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating Officer Kevin Hickey’s beating of Jahmel Leach, who suffered broken bones in his face and damage to his jaw and teeth, which he is in danger of losing, relatives said.
NYPD Commissioner Defends Crackdown at Bronx Protest, Says Activists Aimed to “Tear Down Society.”
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea defended Thursday’s operation targeting peaceful protestors in the Bronx, claiming his department had intelligence demonstrators intended to “destroy property, injure cops and to cause mayhem.”
Police Violently Crack Down on Bronx Protestors After Curfew
The police action was personally overseen by NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan, who appears on video directing officers to take at least one peaceful demonstrator into custody.
Stringer: Slash NYPD Funding and Responsibilities
The Comptroller and mayoral contender called Thursday for the city to slash $1.1 billion in NYPD funding over the next four years, shifting responsibilities away from the police— and boosting investments in communities impacted by police violence and racism.
Violent Unrest in the Bronx Amid George Floyd Protests
Amid violent clashes with police, looters damaged local pharmacies, delis, beauty supply stores, pawn shops, and other businesses, busting out storefront windows and making off with property, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Man Found Dead After Beating, Holding Thousands in Cash
Cesar Mejia was found unconscious by police near Pelham Parkway South and Bolton Street, a serious gash in his forehead and extreme bruising to his body, according to the NYPD.
Widespread Unrest Across U.S in Response to Police Violence
Widespread civil unrest rocked America this week in response to the killing of George Floyd—a Minnesota man killed by a policeman who kneeled on his head for nearly nine minutes.
Mold, Rats, Violent Crime: Residents Demand Change at Problem-Plagued Apartment Building
The company tasked with maintaining a problem-plagued Bronx apartment building has replaced the property manager, after Bronx Justice News pressed them for answers following the fatal shooting of a tenant.
Masked Killer Slays Bronx Dad in Targeted Shooting
Surveillance captured the murder of Najai Sow, 35, who was shot three times in his mid-section Saturday.
Twenty-One Church Members Dead of Coronavirus in Bronx
St. Luke’s Church, the largest parish in the city’s Episcopal diocese, has been supplying food to hungry locals throughout the pandemic, helping to sustain families even as the virus ravages their communities.
Three Arrested in Bronx Man’s Killing
Miguel Cabrera was found shot in his parked car on East 175th Street, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his neck, according to the NYPD.
COVID Deaths Soar in Co-Op City: Data
At least 155 Co-op City residents have died of COVID-19, accounting for one of every 282 residents of the sprawling affordable housing complex, according to new data released by the city.
Two Charged with Murder in Bronx Shooting
Kyeone Stone, 25, and Travis Moore, 29, both of Manhattan, are charged with robbing and killing Julian Oden inside his apartment building at 4439 3rd Ave. in the Bronx Friday.
Bronx Economy is Worst in U.S. for Young Workers: Data
The Bronx’s 15th Congressional District ranks dead last in economic prospects for young people, according to a new index.
Bronx Kids Diagnosed with Mysterious Inflammatory Syndrome
A coronavirus-related syndrome has been detected in 110 New York City children as of Friday, with the Bronx registering the highest case count, authorities said.
New Bill Would Suspend Deportations for Haitians in Bronx
Legislation introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives would suspend deportations of Haitian nationals – including members of the Bronx’s large Haitian community – amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
People of Color Make Up 90 Percent of COVID Arrestees: NYPD
The NYPD has arrested 125 people on charges related to the coronavirus outbreak, including 113 who are black or Latino, police said.
Bronx Reaches Haunting Milestone, Surpassing Four Thousand COVID Deaths
Of the 40,689 coronavirus infections recorded across the Bronx, at least 4,042 have been deadly, according to the most recent city data.
Detectives Analyzing Video in Killing of Bronx Pagans Leader
Homicide detectives are using the latest in video enhancement technology as they work to identify the masked killers responsible for gunning down a Bronx motorcycle gang leader last week.
Nurses Demand More Soap, Masks for Rikers Island Prisoners
By Kevin Deutsch [email protected] Nurses rallied for more masks, soap, and sanitizer for prisoners at Rikers Island Thursday afternoon, as recorded COVID-19 cases continue to […]
NYC Adds Bronx Sites for Mask Giveaway Program
A week after Bronxites railed against a city plan that excluded wide swaths of the borough from its mask giveaway program, officials announced a slate of new distribution sites.
Local Pagans Leader Slain in Allerton Amid Bronx Turf War: Officials
Francisco Rosado was gunned down during an ambush by two men wearing masks in Allerton shortly before 3:30 p.m., officials said, the killers firing shots into his head and chest.
Opinion: Pivotal NYC Elections in Historic Times
Progress is being made in our borough and city, but those gains could disappear if we fail to elect candidates up to the task.
Bronx Politicos Knock Nearly Two Dozen Candidates Off Primary Ballot
The candidate disqualifications, ruled on by the Board of Elections last week, came in response to a seemingly well-organized effort by veteran Party operatives, officials, and well-connected candidates looking to keep competitors off the ballot ahead of the June 23 primary.
City Announces Plan to Distribute COVID Masks, but Snubs East Bronx
The Bronx will have 11 of the city’s 55 planned locations, officials said, but none will be located in the East Bronx: a sprawling area with some of the highest poverty and coronavirus death rates rates in the nation, as well as more residents of color than any other borough.
Less Than 1 Percent of NYC Small Business Loans for COVID Went to Bronx: Data
New York City’s COVID-19 small business loan program—meant to shore up struggling local merchants—has awarded less than one percent of its funds to Bronx businesses so far, with 99 percent going to owners in other boroughs, city officials said Wednesday.
Woman Found Dead in Trash Can Was Strangled: Authorities
Becky Crown, who lived on the Upper West Side, was found partially nude with traumatic injuries, her corpse left inside a residential garbage can behind 4464 Park Ave., according to police.
Bronx Assembly Candidate Calls Life-Saving HPV Vaccine “Poison,” Questions “Motive” for Proposed Mandate
“It makes me question the motive and who profits from making every child in NY take this poison,” the first-time political candidate, and public school parent, said in the Nov. 2019 post.
Deaths of Two Bronx Women Ruled Homicides
Dominique Ben-David, 22, and Lesa Whitlow, 57, ware found found slain in separate incidents earlier this month.
State Opens Probe into Bronx Nursing Home Amid Wave of COVID Deaths
A state official told Bronx Justice News multiple employees at Bronxwood Assisted Living in Williamsbridge have reported a lack of personal protection equipment and supplies, no face coverings for residents, and mismanagement by administrators, leading to the deaths of 12 or more residents.
Testing Suggests 21 Percent of NYC Residents Contracted Coronavirus
The testing program, part of a multi-phase effort by the state to assess how many New Yorkers have contracted the disease, randomly surveyed 3,000 residents at stores across 19 counties and 40 locations.
As COVID Death Toll Climbs, a Grim Milestone is Reached in The Bronx
Residing in the national epicenter of the pandemic, Bronx residents account for a confirmed 30,142 coronavirus infections, with 2,719 deaths recorded here as of Monday night.
Woman’s Body Found Dumped in Residents’ Trash in Tremont
NYPD detectives are investigating the death of a woman found partially nude with traumatic injuries in Tremont, her corpse left inside a residential garbage can.
Nurse’s Union Sues Montefiore, Demands More N95 Masks for “War Zone”
The New York State Nurses Association filed a lawsuit against Montefiore Medical Center Monday, alleging the Bronx hospital is failing to properly protect staffers from COVID-19.
Cuomo: Pilot Program Will Test NYCHA Residents for COVID at Three Bronx Housing Projects
The state-run program will also facilitate the distribution of 500,000 cloth face masks to all NYCHA and other state public housing residents, as well as provide 10,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to the projects, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
Two Bronx Teachers Among NYC Educators Felled by COVID
Chris Mondal, a 30-year-old paraprofessional who taught at PS 46 for eight years, and David Behrbom, 47, who taught physical education at PS 55 for over 15 years, both succumbed to the disease this month.
COVID Face Cover Rule Now in Effect Statewide
The mandate applies in any public situation where social distancing is not necessarily possible—such as shopping in a store, riding the subway, or walking on a street at the same time as others.
New Testing Center Opens in Morrisania, as Bronx COVID Deaths Surpass 2,500
The Morrisania location is among a handful of “community testing” centers Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed would service virus-ravaged communities of color, after Bronx Justice News revealed acute testing shortages and rationing across The Bronx.
Data: Abuse Claims, Violence Plague NYC Youth Jails Amid Pandemic
State investigators are probing dozens of incidents of alleged abuse, neglect, or violence at New York City’s youth jails amid the coronavirus pandemic, including a riot that broke out Sunday.
State: New COVID Testing Center Launched at Tres Puentes in South Bronx
Roughly a month into the coronavirus crisis, New York State has been criticized for not making COVID-19 tests more accessible to low-income communities of color, which have been disproportionally impacted in the Bronx.
Exclusive: FEMA Says State Made Decision to Cancel COVID Field Hospital in Bronx
FEMA, the federal agency tasked with aiding states in times of crisis, got word from the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services that the Van Cortland Park site – along with a handful of other “alternate care” facilities contracted for rapid construction in New York State – were “no longer needed,” a FEMA spokeswoman said Tuesday.
Mayor: NYC Will Buy 100,000 COVID Tests a Week After Feds Failed to Help
“For the first time, we’re going to have a truly reliable major supply of testing,” de Blasio said at a press briefing Tuesday, after his pleas for more tests from the White House went unanswered. “The number one issue from day one has been testing.”
Exclusive: Contract for Building Bronx COVID Hospital Canceled by Feds; Construction Ordered Stopped
A Department of Defense contract to build a 200-bed field hospital in the Bronx has been canceled by the federal government, with a stop-work order issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Monday morning, Bronx Justice News has learned.
With Bronx Reeling, de Blasio Pleads for Help from Trump, Navarro
Mayor Bill de Blasio sent a letter to White House trade advisor Peter Navarro Sunday requesting 110,000 COVID-19 test kits, more than a million protective gowns for health care workers, and 134,000 protective face shields, as The Bronx reels from coronavirus deaths.
As Virus Ravages Low-Income Communities, de Blasio Demands Feds Ship Scores More COVID Tests to NYC
The mayor, who has faced criticism for a lack of coronavirus testing in the Bronx, said he hoped a community-testing program could begin by week’s end. But that timeline is contingent upon the feds shipping much-needed kits to New York City.
“The Government Is Not Helping Us”: Coronavirus Hotline Thwarting Bronx Residents in Need of Testing
Coronavirus tests are being heavily rationed across the Bronx, with low-income residents growing increasingly desperate for diagnosis and treatment in the city’s hardest hit borough.
NYCHA Residents Routinely Dying in Bronx Apartments, Advocates Say
The bodies of NYCHA tenants felled by coronavirus are routinely being found inside their Bronx apartments, as an acute shortage of COVID-19 testing and treatment continues to devastate low-income communities, tenant advocates told Bronx Justice News.
Mail Disrupted in Kingsbridge Amid Coronavirus Crisis: USPS
Half the USPS workforce or more in Kingsbridge has been absent each day amid the COVID-19 crisis, as staffers deal with quarantine and health care issues, child and elder care, pre-scheduled holiday time off, and other challenges, a spokeswoman said.
NYC Gathering Sick Youth Prisoners at Horizon Juvenile Center
The Bronx youth jail is being used to house to all “symptomatic” child prisoners as part of the de Blasio administration’s consolidation plan.
Multiple BronxCare Doctors Infected With Coronavirus, as Physicians Face PPE Shortage
Miguel Fuentes, Jr., the Bronxcare Health System president, earned roughly $2 million in compensation last year, even as the hospital failed to stock up on basic protective gear, a physician said.
Where to Get Tested for Coronavirus in The Bronx
All testing sites require an appointment, officials said, which can be made by calling 718-918-5700 or the Health Department Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
Bronxites With Coronavirus Dying at Twice the Rate of Other NYC Patients: Report
Bronx residents accounted for one in four coronavirus hospitalizations citywide, an analysis showed, and were dying at three times the rate of infected Manhattan residents.
“My Son Could Die:” Parents Kept in Dark About Spread of Coronavirus at Horizon Juvenile Center
Several parents fear their teenage children are being neglected at Horizon Juvenile Center amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, which has infected dozens of prisoners and corrections staffers across the five boroughs.
Coronavirus Deaths Surpass 400 in The Bronx
A total of 9,343 patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Bronx, with 421 deaths confirmed, authorities said.
Attack on Asian Woman Aboard Bronx Bus Latest Coronavirus Hate Crime
said.
The attack happened on a city bus about 3 p.m. Saturday near West 166th Street, where the trio of 15-year olds yelled anti-Asian slurs at the 51-year-old victim, blaming her for the spread of COVID-19 as one of the girls struck her in her head with an umbrella, according to the NYPD.
Coronavirus Case Totals Surge in The Bronx
The highest number of positive cases appeared to be recorded in the neighborhoods of Highbridge, Morrisania, Fordham, Bronx Park, Pelham, and Throgs Neck, according to city data.
Head Psychiatric Nurse at Jacobi Dies of Coronavirus
Freda Ocran, 50, succumbed to the virus Saturday after after apparently becoming infected while treating sick New Yorkers at the public hospital.
New Coronavirus Testing Center to Open in Co-Op City
The drive-up testing center will be located behind the Bay Plaza AMC Theater at 2210 Bartow Avenue in Co-Op City.
NYPD Detective Dies of Coronavirus in The Bronx
A 23-year veteran of the force, Cedric Dixon is the third NYPD employee to die from the virus, authorities said.
Highbridge-Morrisania Hardest Hit by Coronavirus in Bronx: Data
The Highbridge and Morrisania sections of the Bronx appear to account for the borough’s largest concentration of confirmed coronavirus infections—a wave of illness ravaging communities already struggling with high rates of poverty and HIV.
Bronx Mailman Dies From Coronavirus
A veteran Bronx mailman died from coronavirus Wednesday, becoming the first federal postal carrier in New York City to succumb to COVID-19.
A Race to Save Lives in Jacobi’s Coronavirus Tents
Health workers are racing to save virus-stricken patients in tents outside NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in the Bronx, as COVID-19 infections threaten to overwhelm New York City’s public hospital system.
Rules on Addiction Treatment Loosened Amid Pandemic
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Tuesday said methadone clinics in New York can send stable patients home with 28-day supplies of the drug, and less stable ones with 14-day supplies.
Three Coronavirus Testing Sites Open in The Bronx
Amid the continued spread of corona virus in New York City, officials announced the opening of three COVID-19 assessment and testing centers in the Bronx.
Anniversary of First Slaying in Boca Mall Murders
Monday marks the 13th anniversary of the killing of Randi Gorenberg, whose disappearance from a posh Boca Raton mall and ensuing murder remain one of South Florida’s most vexing unsolved cases.
More than 1,400 Known Coronavirus Cases in The Bronx
With the city now seeing more coronavirus cases than any municipality in America, Mayor Bill de Blasio Sunday said city hospitals are 10 days away from running out of life-saving equipment, including ventilators.
Horizon Juvenile Center Staffer Contracts Coronavirus
The worker’s infection marks the latest incident of the contagion spreading within New York City’s correction system.
Andrew Yang Donating Thousands to Bronx Families Impacted by Pandemic
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s nonprofit organization is cutting at least $500,000 worth of checks to low-income families in New York City impacted by the coronavirus, with a focus on the working poor in the Bronx, Yang announced Friday.
Rikers Island Inmate, Correction Officer Test Positive for Coronavirus
A Rikers Island prisoner and city correction officer assigned to the jail have both tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said, days after the death of another virus-stricken DOC employee.
Addiction Treatment Services in NYC Strained by Coronavirus Outbreak
The coronavirus outbreak is spurring alarm among New York City’s addiction treatment workers and opioid-dependent patients, with long lines forming outside city methadone clinics, Naloxone reportedly more difficult to access, and group addiction therapy continuing in some facilities—despite the risk of contagion.
DOC Investigator From the Bronx Dies of Coronavirus
A Department of Correction investigator died from the coronavirus Sunday, officials said, fueling concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 in New York City’s correction system.
DOC Employee Tests Positive for Coronavirus
The city worker, whose identity was not made public, works in the department’s Investigation Division at DOC headquarters in East Elmhurst.
After Years of Delays, The Bronx Gets a New Civic Plaza
The Bronx Hall of Justice’s civic plaza is at last partially open to the public, after a Bronx Justice News investigation revealed years of financial waste and construction delays at the controversial site.
Bust at Mott Haven Bakery Used as Hub for Heroin, Cocaine Dealing
A notorious Bronx drug market run out of a bakery was shut down, and 14 dealers who helped operate it arrested Wednesday, prosecutors said.
Man Shot Outside Offices of Bronx District Attorney
The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. on East 161st Street near Concourse Village West, the same block where DA’s headquarters and the Bronx Hall of Justice are located.
Woman Fatally Bludgeoned at Castle Hill Houses
Angelica Jimenez was found unconscious with her head bludgeoned inside her living room at the Castle Hill Houses about 6:45 p.m. Sunday.
Aspiring Fashion Designer Slain in Subway
Rudolph Dunning, 25, died from stabs wounds suffered during a fight inside the Morris Avenue station in Soundview.
ICE Crackdown Underway In Bronx, Across U.S.
ICE has begun an operation targeting illegal immigrants in so-called sanctuary cities across the U.S., with agents stepping up surveillance in predominantly Latino neighborhoods—including parts of the Bronx, local immigration attorneys told Bronx Justice News.
Third Woman Charged in Murder of Miss Jamaica Contestant
Detectives have made two more arrests in the killing of 44-year-old Tamara Sinclair.
ICE Has Secret “No-Release” Policy for Detainees in NYC, Suit Claims
The NYCLU and Bronx Defenders sued the federal government this week, claiming ICE is unlawfully keeping thousands of New Yorkers jailed on non-criminal immigration offenses.
Man Who Shot Up 41st Precinct Indicted: Prosecutors
A Bronx man was indicted on multiple counts of attempted murder Wednesday for allegedly carrying out two ambush attacks on police in the 41st Precinct last month, authorities said.
Man Stabs Three, Kills Girlfriend in Bronx Spree
A man has been charged with murder for allegedly fatally killing his girlfriend in Unionport Sunday night as part of a three-victim stabbing spree, police said.
Homeless Teens Win More Access to NYC Shelter Beds
An agreement forged by lawyers from the Legal Aid Society and the City expands access to homeless and runaway youth programs serving New Yorkers aged 16 to 20.
Woman Charged With Murder in Fatal Bronx ATM Beating
Reign Harney was arrested Thursday, two weeks after she and two other women allegedly beat up victim Tamara Sinclair, 43, for failing to let them into a locked TD Bank ATM vestibule.
Bronx Justice News Investigates: State Probe Uncovers Abuse, Neglect at Horizon Juvenile Center
A 17-year-old prisoner at Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx was the victim of “serious” abuse and neglect at the hands of facility staff—mistreatment that city and state officials are keeping hidden from public scrutiny, a Bronx Justice News investigation found.
Bronx Woman Dies After Bank ATM Attack
Tamara Sinclair was assaulted Feb. 11 by a group of attackers at the Bank of America on the corner Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road, authorities said.
Hackers Breach Clearview AI’s Servers, Stealing Entire Client List
The facial recognition app, created by Clearview AI, has compiled more than 3 billion facial images from the Internet for use by private clients and government agencies, spurring dire warnings from civil rights and privacy advocates.
22-Year-Old Killed by Colleague at Bronx Jeep Dealership
Brandon Almonte suffered fatal stab wounds to his neck inflicted by the 53-year-old co-worker, who was taken into custody by police
Pair Wanted for Questioning in Baseball Bat Beating
By Sasha Gonzales [email protected] Police are searching for two potential suspects in a baseball bat attack in the Bronx. The NYPD this week released photos […]
City Parks Worker Zip-Tied, Kidnapped Bronx Woman: Feds
Owen Drain, 35, who federal prosecutors said also goes by the names “White Boy” and “Tommy, worked with an accomplice to lure the 30-year-old victim into a black SUV on Nov. 19 in Parkchester before training a gun on her, stealing her cell phones, and binding her hands and feet with zip ties, prosecutors said.
Exclusive: New State DNA Chairman is Genome Scientist Who Testified at O.J. Trial
Dr. Bruce Weir, 76, a genome expert from New Zealand, replaces Dr. Dwight Adams, who stepped down from his post during the state DNA subcommittee’s November meeting.
Arrest Made in Killing of Clerk Recently Granted U.S. Citizenship
Leonard Nieves, 33, said nothing as he entered B&A Gourmet Deli, on Brook Avenue at 137th Street in Mott Haven, and fatally shot Yehya Almontaser in his chest shortly after 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to the NYPD.
Second Bronx Bodega Worker Slain This Week; Suspect In Custody
A 20-year-old Bronx deli worker was fatally shot Tuesday when a fight broke out in his store—the second bodega worker murdered in the borough in less than a week, authorities said.
Leader of “Young Gunnaz,” Gang that Terrrorized Mill Brook Houses, Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison
A member of one of the Bronx’s most powerful street gangs has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, closing out a violent era that saw his crew and two others terrorize the Mill Brook Houses, authorities said.
As Montefiore Serves Impoverished Bronx Residents, Its CEO Rakes in Millions
Recently filed tax records show Dr. Philip Ozuah, the new CEO of Montefiore Medicine, collected $13 million in early retirement money, bonus pay, and salary in 2018 alone.
Bodega Clerk Fatally Shot by Masked Killer
Yehya Almontaser, a native of Yemen who had recently become a U.S. citizen, suffered two bullet wounds to his chest at B&A Gourmet Deli, on Brook Avenue at 137th Street in Mott Haven.
Bronx City Council Member Fined For NYPD Ticket Fix
A City Council member representing the Bronx must pay a $5,000 fine for having an NYPD Deputy Chief fix her traffic ticket, according to the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board.
Woman Slashed in Face on Bronx Train
The victim, Rabia Bugum, 23, received stitches to her head and hand after the attack, which happened on a northbound No. 6 train at Brooke Avenue about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Bronx Man Convicted in Massive Heroin Trafficking Scheme: Feds
A Bronx man was convicted by a federal jury Wednesday for his role in a large-scale drug conspiracy that trafficked dozens of kilograms of heroin and fentanyl into Massachusetts from the Bronx and Dominican Republic, prosecutors said.
Teen Charged in Fordham Heights Murder
A 19-year-old man was indicted for murder and manslaughter Tuesday, accused of stabbing a 20-year-old victim to death in Fordham Heights last year, authorities said.
Housing Space for Homeless, Special Needs New Yorkers Breaks Ground in Bronx
A new affordable housing complex, featuring 96 apartments for formerly homeless New Yorkers with special needs – as well as low-income people – is coming to Fordham Heights.
Gunman Opens Fire on Bronx Cops in Dual Attacks; Two Officers Wounded
The accused shooter, Robert Williams, stormed the 41st Precinct station house on Longwood Avenue about 8 a.m. Sunday, emptying his clip inside and wounding Lt. Jose Gautreaux in his left arm, a police official said.
NYPD Officer Charged in Armed Robbery
Michael Latimer of the Transit Bureau was off-duty when he and an accomplice allegedly entered an Allerton apartment shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday, holding one or more guns on their target, authorities said.
Report: Bronx Kids Face Economic, Educational Disparities
Mott Haven families run the highest risk of economic insecurity, with kids in the neighborhood more than 18 times more likely to live in poverty than children in Greenwich Village, the report states.
With SNAP Cuts Looming, the Bronx’s Access to Affordable Fruits and Vegetables is at Risk: Experts
Bronx residents are being urged to make use of a city program providing free fruits and vegetables, with steep cuts to the the U.S. government’s food stamp program looming.
Man Fatally Shot in Bronx Building Lobby
Shameek Lilly, who lived with his family on White Plains Road, was carrying groceries home when someone shot him in his chest shortly after 9 p.m. Monday.
NYPD Officer Stole From Bronx Home Depot: Police
Julio Jimenez, 34, an 11-year-veteran of the police force, allegedly swiped appliances and other home goods from the business on Bruckner Boulevard around 4 p.m. Sunday, stuffing them in his coat before exiting.
Teenager Shot in Riverdale
Detectives are searching for two attackers involved in the shooting of a 19-year-old man at his Bronx home, authorities said.
Law Would Ban NYPD Use of Facial Recognition Tech
A bill proposed in the state legislature would ban use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement in New York—a move aimed at curbing the NYPD’s unregulated casework involving the controversial surveillance tool.
Dad Charged in Infant’s Death
Teshawn Watkins, 27, was charged with murder, manslaughter, reckless endangerment and acting in a manner injurious to a child.
Bronx Newborn Found Dead in Apartment
Police are investigating as suspicious the death of a 1-month-old baby boy found unresponsive inside his Bronx home Wednesday, authorities said.
Seven Million Dollars of “Fire” Branded Heroin, Fentanyl Seized in Kingsbridge: Prosecutors
Six people have been arrested in connection with a $7 million heroin and fentanyl distribution network operating out of a Kingsbridge apartment, authorities said.
Thousands of Mildew Complaints at Bronx NYCHA Complexes: Data
NYCHA residents filed nearly 32,000 work orders to remove mildew from their apartments in the first months of 2019, with Bronx housing complexes registering some of the highest numbers of complaints, new data shows.
Man Impersonating Correction Officer Busted with Guns, Drugs in Mott Haven
NYPD officers caught up with Hector Vazquez, 54, after they got a 911 call about a man with a gun on East 137th Street shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday.
Subway Rider Slashed in Face in Bronx
A man riding the No. 4 train in the Bronx slashed another rider’s face Saturday after an argument broke out between the two, authorities said.
Homeless Man Charged in Bronx Murder
Christopher Padin, 27, allegedly carried out the fatal the Jan. 19 shooting of Matthew Jones outside a Creston Avenue apartment building, following a dispute over money, police said.
Bronx Dad Killed, Two Others Wounded in Shooting at Restaurant
Edy Corneil was fatally shot about 4:50 a.m. Monday at Floridita, a 24-hour-restaurant on 206th Street, where he had been celebrating his 28th birthday with friends.
High-Tech Program to Study Air Pollution Launches in South Bronx
Five city vehicles in the South Bronx are being equipped with state-of-the-art sensors developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and will collect black-by-block data as they drive around the borough.
Study: Air Pollution, Stress Impacting Mental Health of Bronx Kids
To gather data, researchers studied expecting mothers in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, including many participants who self-identified as African American or Dominican.
Shots Fired Inside Iconic South Bronx Gym During MLK Tribute Game
A celebratory MLK day basketball game between high school teams turned violent Monday when a spectator opened fire inside the iconic South Bronx gym, setting off panic in the crowd, authorities said.
Man Gunned Down in Fordham Heights
The wounded victim was found shorty before 11:30 p.m. outside an apartment building at East 182nd Street and Creston Avenue.
With Bronx Kids Facing an Asthma Crisis, New York Sues Trump EPA Over Smog
The Bronx, New York City’s northernmost borough, is particularly vulnerable to downwind smog and air pollution. Asthma death rates in the Bronx are three times higher than the rest of the nation, research shows.
Detectives Make Arrests in First Bronx Murders of New Year
Ryan Chambers, 34, is charged with murder in the Jan. 1 killing of Rahkeem Jennings, who was found dead with bullet wounds to his head and neck inside his apartment at the Bronx River Houses.
Bronx Homicide Victim Identified
The victim, Jason Parris, was seen arguing with his unidentified killer outside a Claremont liquor store Saturday night, police said.
Bronx Ranks Among Top U.S. Counties in Wage Growth: Data
Bronx County’s 5.7-percent wage growth ranked 15th among the nation’s 355 largest counties, federal data shows.
McDonald’s Dollar Menu is Top Survival Resource for the Homeless: Survey
The Homeless Shelter Directory, a popular resource for people living on the streets, recently conducted a survey asking the homeless how they survive with little to no money. The number answer: the McDonald’s dollar menu.
Thousands of Roach, Bedbug Complaints at Bronx NYCHA Complexes
New York City Housing Authority residents filed nearly 60,000 work orders to address roach and bedbug infestations during the first nine months of 2019 alone.
Man Fatally Shot in Head in Claremont
A 36-year-old man was fatally shot in his head in Claremont Saturday night, police said.
Detectives Probing Hell’s Angels Shooting Look to Head Off Gang War
Detectives are running down leads in an attack that saw gunmen on motorcycles open fire on the Hells’ Angels Bronx clubhouse earlier this month — a shooting they hope to solve before the violence escalates, authorities said.
A Dozen Families Displaced as Fire Ravages NYCHA Complex
More than 50 residents were displaced by the flames and given temporary shelter by the Red Cross, authorities said.
New Homeless Shelters Slated to Open in Bronx Next Year
The new shelters are part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Turning the Tide program, which aims to combat New York City’s homeless crisis.
Data: NYPD Issuing Disproportionate Number of “Jaywalking” Tickets to Black, Hispanic Residents of Bronx
Jaywalking laws are rarely enforced in New York City, but when they are, Hispanic and African-Americans living in the Bronx account for a disproportionate number of summons recipients, new data shows.
“Sovereign Citizen” Convicted of Murdering Bronx Dad Outside Elementary School
Dwayne Reid, 48, of Larchmont, carried out the execution-style shooting of Lamont Smith, 45, on the morning of May 21, 2014 in front of of PS 112 in Baychester, prosecutors said.
NYPD Cracking Down on Parking Placard Abuse in Bronx
The NYPD is now legally required to crack down on placard abuse — a measure aimed at curbing years of rogue parking by city workers both active and retired, plus their families and friends.
Bronx Woman Among Five Killed in Bus Crash
Eileen Zelis Aria, 35, was ejected from a passenger bus traveling from New York City to Ohio on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Sunday, authorities said.
Arrests Made in Killing of Bronx DJ
Oliver Askia suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his chest in front of Krystal Bar and Lounge on University Avenue in Morris Heights Nov. 30.
Shooters Target New Hell’s Angels Clubhouse in Throggs Neck
A Bronx property recently turned into an official Hell’s Angels clubhouse became a target of gun violence Thursday, fired upon by multiple shooters on motorcycles, authorities said.
Man Killed in First Homicide of Year in Bronx
Rahkeem Jennings was found dead with bullet wounds to his head and neck inside his apartment at the Bronx River Houses, police said.
Arrest Made in Fatal Beating of Morrisania Man
Abu Conteh, 18, of the Bronx, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of murder, manslaughter and gang assault in the killing of Juan Fresnada, 60.
Bronx Man Killed in Maryland Plane Crash
Gordon Allen, 61, was flying a Grumman American AA-5A when it crashed into a home about three miles south of College Park Airport.
Morrisania Man Dies After Muggers Beat, Rob Him of $1
Juan Fresnada, of Morrisania, was set upon by three assailants who stole $1 from him after pummeling him with punches and kicks, as well as a large trash can, according to police.
Man Fatally Shot in University Heights
Devon McFarlane, 24, was gunned down near the intersection of East Burnside Avenue and Morris Avenue shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday, according to the NYPD.
Ex-Detective Pleads Guilty to Lying in Bronx Drug Case
A former Yonkers police detective pleaded guilty Friday to perjuring himself in a Bronx narcotics case, leading to an innocent Olinville man serving nearly five months in jail.
Police Seek Answers in Christmas Morning Stabbings
Police are trying to find the culprits behind a Christmas morning attack that left four people with stab wounds in Concourse Village.
Parolee Charged in Belmont Mother’s Murder
Asun Thomas, 46, surrendered to NYPD detectives after police publicly released surveillance images showing him outside the victim’s building.
Detectives Hunt Person of Interest in Killing of Belmont Mom
Luz Perez was found dead in her home at 519 E. 187th Street on Oct. 13, with trauma to her head and body, police said.
New Program Will Feed Impoverished CUNY Students
The program will be implemented at CUNY’s seven community colleges, including Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College in the South Bronx, during the fall and spring academic semesters.
Bronx DACA Recipients Targeted For Deportation
ICE is asking federal immigration courts to reopen old, “administratively closed” cases against undocumented immigrants living in New York City, including some from the Bronx.
Man Stabbed Outside Bronx Community College
A 20-year-old man is clinging to life after being stabbed in his torso outside Bronx Community College Saturday, authorities said.
Bronx Man and His Mom Hired Hitman to Kill Rival: Prosecutors
Candido Lizarro, 26, was indicted this week on charges including attempted murder, assault, and gun possession. Lizarro and his mother, Annette Spann, also face conspiracy and criminal solicitation charges.
Teen Stabbed at Bronx Subway Station
Investigators are searching for a group of six young men responsible for attacking a 15-year-old boy in a Bronx subway station Saturday, leaving him with a stab wound to his chest and a knife slash to his elbow, authorities said.
Teen Believed Kidnapped in Bronx Staged Own Abduction: Authorities
A 16-year-old girl police initially believed kidnapped in the Bronx actually helped stage her own abduction, authorities said Tuesday.
Search Underway After Teen Girl Snatched off Bronx Street
A 16-year-old girl was snatched off a Bronx street by kidnappers Monday night as she walked beside her mother, setting off a massive manhunt across New York City, authorities said.
Undocumented Immigrants in Bronx Now Eligible for Driver’s Licenses
The Green Light NY Law makes New York the thirteenth state to grant licenses to residents who pass applicable driving tests, regardless of their immigration status.
Man Shot by Police in Concourse Village
A man pointing a fake gun at officers was critically wounded by police early Saturday, authorities said.
Fire Set Outside Bronx Mosque Same Day as Kosher Market Attack
Worshipers at the Bangla Bazar Jame Masjid mosque on Odell Street had just finished morning prayers Tuesday when, surveillance footage shows, a man used a lighter to set trash on fire inside a garbage can outside the mosque, police said.
NYPD Launches New Unit to Stop Hate Crimes
The Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism squad will gather and analyze intelligence in an effort to crush extremist plots like Tuesday’s anti-Semitic mass shooting at a Jersey City Kosher supermarket.
Bronx Neighborhoods Lead NYC in Heating Complaints: Data
The city data, analyzed by Renthop.com, shows the communities of Mount Hope, Fordham South, Norwood, Williamsbridge-Olinville, Bedford Park-Fordham North, and Pelham Parkway tallied the most 311 complaints about heating problems at residential buildings.
Teen Slain in Knife Fight Over Woman
An 18-year-old man is facing murder and manslaughter charges for fatally stabbing a romantic rival in Hunts Point Sunday, police said.
Bronx Family Pleads for Help in Repatriating Mexican Man Killed in Fall
Gerardo Villano Juárez, 24, was found dead Thursday in the courtyard of his apartment building on Grand Concourse and East 178th Street in Mount Hope, just six weeks after his arrival in America.
67-Year-Old Man Wounded by Stray Bullet in Bronx
The victim was seated on the bus bench in the 800 block of Melrose Avenue when the bullet struck him in his side about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, according to the NYPD.
Bloods Gang Member Arrested for Two Bronx Murders: Police
Dane Richardson, 36, is expected to be charged with two counts of murder, attempted criminally negligent homicide, weapon possession, and drug possession.
Change to Food Stamps Program Expected to Impact Thousands in Bronx
The new work requirements, part of a USDA rule change, will affect people between the ages of 18 and 49 who have not kids and are not disabled, government officials said.
Hundreds of Genetic Profiles Removed From City’s DNA Database: Report
Nearly 400 genetic profiles of victims and witnesses have been removed from New York City’s DNA identification index, a database that has come under scrutiny for what critics describe as illegal collection of genetic material, according to a new report.
Man Killed Outside Bronx Nightclub; Twelfth Gunshot Victim This Week
Oliver Askia suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his chest in front of Krystal Bar and Lounge on University Avenue in Morris Heights shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the NYPD.
Man Shot in Chest as Bloody Week Continues in Bronx
The latest shooting happened around 2:10 p.m. Friday on East 166th Street near Union Avenue when a gunman stepped out a white BMW and opened fire, wounding the 25-year-old victim before driving off, according to the NYPD.
Police Hunt Three in Bronx Mass Shooting
Police are searching for three men linked to a Bronx shooting that wounded five victims early Thanksgiving Day, authorities said.
Ten People Shot During Bloody Day in Bronx
The worst of the gunplay took place about 4 p.m. in Melrose where five people were shot, including a 10-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.
Bronx Crew Leader Sentenced For Two Decades of Drug Dealing, Murder: Feds
A drug crew leader who helped flood parts of the Bronx with cocaine and heroin, using murder and violence to prolong his reign for nearly two decades, was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years in prison, authorities said.
Lawmaker: Nonprofits Earning Hundreds of Millions to Run Homeless Shelters Should be Audited
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi sent a formal request to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli requesting the audit, which would compel the city’s homeless service providers to open their books amid an alarming rise in homelessness in the Bronx and elsewhere.
Police Hunt Gunman in Smoke Shop Homicide
Kashka Richards, 23, was shot in his head at the shop on 167th Street near Sheridan Avenue about 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NYPD.
Teen Charged in Mount Hope Slaying
Police believe Davacchie Cole, 17, shot Tory Barnes, 29, multiple times as he stood on West 176th Street near Walton Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 15.
Exclusive: New Leads Being Investigated in Boca Mall Murders, Police Chief Says
Investigators probing the 2007 Boca mall murders and abductions have pursued more than a dozen new leads this year – in addition to more than 20 fresh leads generated in 2018 – renewing hopes that some of South Florida’s most haunting crimes may yet be solved, Bronx Justice News has learned.
Evictions are Up in the Bronx, but Down in all Other Boroughs: Data
The three neighborhoods with the highest evection filing rates citywide were all in the Bronx: Highbridge/Concourse, Morrisania/Crotona, and Hunts Point/Longwood, according to a new report.
Teen Fatally Shot, Brother Wounded Outside Soundview Houses
Stephon Brown, 19, and his brother were standing outside one of the housing project’s buildings on Randall Avenue when a black-clad gunman opened fire shortly after 9 p.m., according to the NYPD.
New Reward Announced in Bronx Triple Homicide
NYPD investigators said Sam Cross, 51, opened fire outside a Castle Hill strip mall in June 2018, killing Mustafa Tarver, 33, Christopher Alleyne, also 33, and Arileida Jimenez, 45, all from the Bronx.
Man Fatally Shot in Mount Hope; Killing Possibly Linked to Drug Dispute
A 29-year old man was shot to death, possibly in connection with a drug dispute, outside a Mount Hope building Friday, authorities said.
Armed Robbers Plunder Soundview Music Studio, Shooting One
A pair of armed criminals carried out a brazen robbery at a Bronx recording studio Wednesday, getting away with thousands in cash and electronics before shooting a victim, authorities said.
NYPD Kept Illegal Database of ChIldren’s Fingerprints: Attorneys
The NYPD has for years maintained an illegal database containing the fingerprints of thousands of underage New Yorkers—many of whom were never convicted of any crime, the agency revealed to defense attorneys this week.
In Sign of Bronx’s Gentrification, a Notorious Juvenile Jail is Being Transformed
Builders recently began construction of a massive, mixed-use development at one of the Bronx’s most notorious former institutions: the violence-plagued Bridges Juvenile Center.
43-Year-Old Woman Found Dead in Bronx Apartment
Jarmilla Brooks was unresponsive when NYPD officers visited her apartment Monday in response to a report of an unconscious person at the River Park Towers, according to police.
Billionaire’s Mansion Plundered in Bronx: Police
Thieves slipped into the multi-million dollar home of Don Ghermezian, CEO of Mall of America owner Triple Five Group, and stole more than two dozen handbags and pricey pieces of jewelry before getting away, police officials said.
19-Year-Old Illegally Stopped, Frisked by NYPD in Videotaped Encounter: Attorneys
The Legal Aid Society released a video Saturday of what they say is an illegal search of a Bronx man frequently subjected to unlawful stop-and-frisk searches by the NYPD.
Thousands Without Heat, Hot Water at Castle Hill Houses
Nearly 5,000 residents at the Bronx public housing complex spent Friday without any heat or hot water, on a day when temperatures in the borough were expected to dip into the 20s.
14-Year-Old Boy Stabbed in Fordham
The teen was walking at Jerome and Fordham avenues when the armed mugger attacked him about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the NYPD.
Amid Criticism Over COBA Donations, Bronx DA Announces Indictment of Correction Officer
Two days after a media report criticizing Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for accepting campaign donations from the city’s jail guard union, her office announced the unsealing of an indictment against a correction officer who allegedly helped smuggle heroin onto Rikers Island.
Gang Member Charged in 2015 Bronx Murder: Feds
Jose “Hov Goon” Rodriguez, 27, fatally shot Daquan Cooper, 23, in Parkchester on June 25, 2015, setting off a four-plus year investigation that culminated in his indictment Tuesday, federal prosecutors said.
One Dead in Double Shooting in Melrose
The 31-year-old gunshot victim died at the scene from wounds to his head and leg, while a 32-year-old man survived a gunshot wound to his leg, according to the NYPD.
“To Dad, I Love You”: Last Message From Murdered 7-Year-Old Uncovered in Records
Joey’s note to dad Philip Hauser was discovered among a trove of previously unreported documents exclusively obtained by Bronx Justice News as part of its investigation into the mall attacks—records that are shedding new light on the still-unsolved crimes.
Research Identifies Bronx “Hotspots” With High Childhood Asthma Rates, Poor Housing Quality
The report found Hunts Point and Longwood have some of the highest rates of asthma diagnoses among children on Medicaid, as well as higher rates of home maintenance problems, exposure to cockroaches, and health care use related to childhood asthma.
14-Year-Old Shot in Fordham
The teen was standing outside a building on Creston Avenue near East 193rd Street shortly after 3 p.m. when the bullet struck him, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Hotel Turned Blind Eye as 10-Year-Old Was Sex Trafficked: Lawsuit
A woman is suing a Bronx Econo Lodge for allegedly ignoring sex trafficking at the hotel, allowing her to be prostituted there when she was just 10 years old.
36,000 Public School Students Homeless in Bronx: Report
The homeless children resided in shelters, lived with others due to loss of housing, or else lacked a fixed, adequate place to sleep in at night, according to new data.
Gunman Caught on Video Firing Shots in Longwood
The gunman fired the errant shots on Fox Street in Longwood about 5 p.m. Saturday, missing his apparent targets, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Non-Profit Executive Convicted In Corruption Scheme
The jury’s guilty verdict against Anna Mendez is the fifth public disposition in the investigation of wide-ranging corruption at Tremont Crotona, Inc., and A&G Early Learn Community Network, two nonprofit day care centers in the Bronx.
Man Shot in Face in Concourse Village
The shooting followed a dispute between the victim and the unidentified assailant near Sheridan Avenue and 165th Street, according to the NYPD.
Bill Would Outlaw City’s DNA Database
A proposed state law would require New York City to expunge all records stored in its municipal DNA identification index—a database that has come under scrutiny for what critics describe as illegal collection of genetic material.
Man Stabbed to Death Inside Bronx Bodega
Franklin Williams, 37, was killed inside the Robinson Deli & Grocery on Longwood Avenue in Woodstock about 1 p.m. Thursday, according to police.
Warrants for Bronx “Quality of Life” Summonses to be Cleared Saturday
Prosecutors say people will be able resolve quality-of-life summons warrants, learn about sealing old convictions, and get information about expunging marijuana possession convictions Saturday at Thessalonia Worship Center, 951 Rev. James A. Polite Avenue.
Ex-NYPD Cop Charged with Homicide in Friend’s Death
A Bronx man thought to have accidentally killed himself with an NYPD officer’s gun Easter morning was actually shot by the officer, who prosecutors criminally charged Tuesday, authorities said.
Bronx Overdose Crisis Claims Another Life; Two Men Charged With Dumping Victim’s Body
A bystander found Judy Guzman, 54, wrapped in a blanket with duct on West 183rd Street near Sedgwick Avenue in University Heights shortly before 11:30 p.m. Friday, authorities said.
Exclusive: ‘Future Wife of Brett Gardner’ Sues Yankees, Says Team Denied Her Entry to ALCS Game
A biotech entrepreneur is suing for access to Yankee Stadium, claiming she was denied entry to Thursday’s ALCS game because of her “romantic” social media relationship with Yankees slugger Brett Gardner, court records show.
Police Kill Unarmed Driver in Norwood After Violent Struggle: NYPD
Allan Feliz, 31, was pulled over for not wearing his seat belt, leading to a deadly struggle on Bainbridge Avenue.
Bronx Justice News Investigation: “Cold” Boca Mall Murders Still Reverberating in NYC, as Documents Shed New Light on Attacks
A trove of records obtained by Bronx Justice News is shedding new light on a series of unsolved 2007 murders and abductions, revealing previously unknown details about detectives’ pursuit of the killer or killers, the lives of the victims, and security lapses at Town Center at Boca Raton mall in the lead-up to the crimes.
Exclusive: Private DNA Testing Company’s Plans Being Kept from NY Oversight Commission
The work of a Virginia-based DNA testing company could wind up putting New Yorkers behind bars, but its plans for genetic testing in the Empire State are being kept from the public—and even the state’s own forensic science commission.
Mother Stabbed to Death in Bronx Apartment
A 40-year-old woman was found stabbed to death at her Bronx apartment Sunday with her children still inside the residence, authorities said.
Charges Dropped Against Woman who Lost Eye During NYPD Arrest
Johanna Pagan-Alomar, 45, was initially charged with assault, harassment, and obstructing government administration for allegedly accosting NYPD Officer Theresa Lustica.
Estranged Husband Busted in Bronx Machete Slay
Victor Mateo, 63, was busted in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and expected to be charged with the murder of his Noelia Mateo, who suffered terminal injuries in the Oct. 3 attack on Ellsworth Avenue.
Drive Aims to Deliver Books to Teens at Horizon Juvenile Center
The Bronx-based bookstore Boogie Down Books is partnering with Friends of Island Academy to promote the “Books to Jails” initiative: an effort get books into the hands of young people locked up at Horizon Juvenile Center in Mott Haven.
Bronx Teen is Youngest to Die from Vaping in U.S.: Officials
A Bronx 17-year-old is the youngest person to die from a mysterious respiratory disease apparently caused by vaping, officials said.
Investigators Scour Belmont for Clues in Quadruple Murder
Randy Santos, 24, accused of bludgeoning four sleeping victims to death using a piece of heavy construction metal, lived in a vacant, three-story home at 691 East 183rd St. in the Bronx.
Bronx Man Charged in Subway Murder
Rafael Hollis, 29, faces charges of murder, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon and acting in a manner injurious to a child after allegedly killing James Cubille.
Father Killed in Front of Son in Bronx Subway Station
Rafael Hollis, 29, allegedly killed James Cubille, 25, with a bullet to the chest, police said.
Police Hunt Ex-Husband in Machete Slay
Police are searching for a man who ran over his ex-wife with a car before slashing her to death with a machete Thursday, authorities said.
Teenage Girl Fatally Stabbed At Bronx Homeless Shelter
Enilies Calix, 19, was attacked by her 23-year-old boyfriend as the couple argued around 1 p.m. Wednesday in the HELP USA Bronx Morris community shelter on East 171st Street in Claremont, according to the NYPD.
Bronx NYPD Officer Was Killed by Friendly Fire: Commissioner
The officer’s last words, as captured by a body camera, were: “He’s reaching for it! He’s reaching for it!” according to the NYPD. During the struggle, Mulkeen fired his service weapon at a suspect five times, and five NYPD officers standing nearby fired 10 additional shots.
Bronx NYPD Officer Shot and Killed Outside Edenwald Houses
Officer Brian Mulkeen was struck by bullets in his head, chest, and legs—all fired from his own gun as he wrestled a fleeing man, police said.
22-Year-Old Man Found Fatally Shot in Crotona Park
Authorities found the victim unconscious in the park with bullet wounds to his head, leg, and back shortly after midnight, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Councilman, Borough Prez Signed Off on Controversial Project Following Campaign Contributions
Neighborhood activists are fighting the city’s plan to build an affordable housing complex in the Bronx after local news outlets revealed campaign donations made by the complex’s developer to key borough officials, who later signed off on the project.
Bronx Man Charged in Murder of 29-Year-Old
Shaquille Yorke, 25, is charged with murder, manslaughter and weapon possession in the killing of Kevin Barton, records show.
Cocaine Overdoses Kill Three in Bronx: Police
Police are investigating the fatal drug overdoses of three people in the Bronx and two others in Yonkers, all of which may be linked to the same batch of tainted cocaine, officials said.
29-Year-Old Wakefield Man Killed in Bronx
Kevin Barton was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest outside a building on 162nd Street and Melrose Avenue in Morrisania, according to the NYPD.
$30 Million Supportive Housing Complex Completed in Bronx
A $30 million affordable and supportive housing development in Bedford Park has been completed, state officials said last week, creating 82 new apartments for low-income households, families at risk of homelessness, and adults with disabilities.
Bronx Homeowner Kills Would-Be Intruder With Metal Pipe; Charged With Murder
Troy George, 54, is charged with murder in the death of the 29-year-old beating victim, who suffered massive head trauma, authorities said.
Arrest Made in 2017 Murder of Bronx Woman
Kenneth Smith, 51, was taken into custody at his Belmont residence Tuesday for allegedly killing Margarita Franco on April 2, 2017, as she spoke on her cell phone outside a Williamsbridge deli, according to police.
NYPD Inspector Killed in Bronx Motorcycle Crash
Michael McGrath, commanding officer of the NYPD Cadet Corps, was killed Monday morning when his motorcycle collided with a truck in Pelham Bay, authorities said.
Arrest Made in Death of Hog-Tied Bronx Man
Charles Votaw, 37, is charged with assault, concealment of a human corpse, and tampering with evidence in the death of the man, who was found inside a locked apartment at 2323 Creston Avenue, his body slashed and his ankles bound to his wrists with duct tape, officials said.
Dead Man Found Tied Up, Slashed Inside Bronx Apartment
Authorities responding to reports of a foul odor Friday found a dead man tied up in a Bronx apartment, his body slashed and his ankles bound to his wrists with duct tape, officials said
22-Year-Old Man Fatally Stabbed in Mott Haven
Police responding to a report of a shooting in front of the Millbrook Houses found Tyshawn Green bleeding from a stab wound to his back in the 20o block of Saint Anns Avenue, according to the NYPD.
Exclusive: Long-Awaited Cash Bail Window Opens in Bronx
Eight months after the de Blasio administration missed a deadline for launching a 24-hour cash bail window in the Bronx Criminal Courthouse, the long-awaited payment center is finally open, Bronx Justice News has learned.
Body Found Floating in Bronx River
Authorities learned of the corpse from a caller who saw it being carried along the water near the Eastern Boulevard Bridge in Hunts Point.
Bronx DA on Discovery Reforms: New Legal Deadlines are “Impossible” to Meet
Bronx District Atttorney Darcel Clark made an impassioned plea to New York State Senators Monday to provide $15 million in new few funding to her office—money she says is necessary if Bronx prosecutors are to properly carry out discovery reforms slated to take effect Jan. 1.
Robber Targets Mom, Daughter Carrying Groceries
A calculating robber ripped off a mother and her 7-year-old daughter as they carried groceries into their Bronx apartment building last month, police said.
Bronx Man Charged With Murder in Harlem Slaying
The NYPD on Thursday arrested Gregory Williams, 35, at his Bronx home for the Aug. 4 murder of Dwayne Buchanan, also of the Bronx, police said.
Feds: Three Gang Members Charged in Bronx Man’s Murder
Three alleged gang members have been charged with murder, racketeering, and firearms offenses for their involvement in the slaying of a Bronx man, federal officials said.
Despite Protests, New Bronx Jail a Step Closer to Reality
New York City’s Planning Commission on Tuesday voted in favor of a plan that would replace the sprawling detention facilities on Rikers Island with new jails in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
Man Plied Woman With Heroin To Keep Her in Sex Trade: Officials
A Bronx man was charged with sex trafficking Tuesday for allegedly plying a woman with heroin, assaulting her, and using the drug to keep her chemically dependent after he forced her into the sex trade, authorities said.
In Disturbing Trend, Another Criminal Uses Hypodermic Needle to Rob Bronx Store
A shoplifter wielding a hypodermic needle ripped off a Rite Aid store in the Bronx—after threatening a a clerk with his makeshift weapon, authorities said.
Man Shot, Pistol-Whipped in Brutal Robbery
A 25-year-old man was brutally pistol-whipped and shot in his arm during a robbery caught on surveillance video in the Bronx, police said.
New Surveillance System Goes Live in Northeast Bronx
A new, state-of-the-art surveillance system is now active in the Northeast Bronx, with ten cameras recording large swaths of the area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, authorities said.
Police Find Over $10 Million Worth of Cocaine Near Hunts Point Food Market
Authorities in the Bronx discovered more than $10 million worth of cocaine near the popular Hunts Point food markets, officials said.
Gunman on Motorcycle Opens Fire in Bronx, Wounding Woman
Authorities are searching for the shooter and another man, who was riding beside the gunman when he opened fire shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday on University Avenue in Fordham Manor.
Plagued by Opioid Crisis, Bronx Again Led City in Overdose Deaths in 2018
In 2018, Bronx residents also had the highest rate of overdose death compared with all other boroughs. The rate increased by 9 percent from 31.4 per 100,000 residents in 2017 to 34.1 per 100,000 residents in 2018, according to the data compiled by New York City’s Department of Health.
Man Shot To Death Outside Church Baptism Party
A man was slain Sunday outside his family’s baptism party—shot in his back after emerging from the Church of the Holy Nativity on Bainbridge Avenue, officials said.
Two Men Shot Outside Mott Haven Bar
The gunshot victims, both in their early 40s, suffered serious wounds but are expected to recover.
Gunman Wanted For Questioning in Bronx Stray Bullet Shooting
A stray bullet struck Robert Griggs about 8 p.m. on July 24 as he played dominoes with friends in Concourse Village, authorities said.
Police Searching for Pastor Who Kissed 11-Year-Old Girl: NYPD
The pastor, whose real name is not known to police, fled the area after the girl told her parents about the unwanted kisses on her face and mouth.
Cabbie Stabbed in University Heights
Detectives are investigating the stabbing of a Bronx livery driver during a wild street fight in University Heights.
6-Month-Old Girl Found Dead in The Bronx
Charlie McCall was found unconscious and unresponsive by her mother, according to officials. She was pronounced dead by doctors at Bronx Lebanon Hospital.
26-Year-Old Man Slain in Soundview
Nestor Ventura suffered multiple gunshot wounds on Commonwealth Avenue shortly before 4 a.m, according to police.
10,000 Pounds of Food Donated as Bronx Battles Food Insecurity
Research shows more than 26 percent of Bronx residents experience food insecurity—defined as being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Man Shot to Death Outside Bronx Playground
One or more shooters opened fire and struck Jamarr Vestal, 31, who was found wounded on Hall Place near E. 165th St., a block from Horseshoe Playground, about 12:30 a.m., according to the NYPD.
Suspected Drunk Driver Kills Woman In Bronx
Natasha Mar, of Brooklyn, was waiting at an MTA bus stop at Jerome and Bainbridge Avenues when Francisco Rosario, a suspected drunk driver, jumped the curb while traveling at about 70 miles per hour, according to the NYPD.
Victims in Bronx Double Homicide Identified
Kevin Dillard, 21, and Arnelle Branch, 17, were fatally wounded outside a Parkside Houses building in Allerton, according to the NYPD.
Double Homicide in Bronx: Two Men Fatally Shot at Parkside Houses
The victims, ages 17 and 21, were shot in their torso and neck, respectively, around 1:45 p.m. Sunday outside a Parkside Houses building in Allerton, according to the NYPD.
16-Year-Old Slashed, Beaten in Bronx
The attack happened Thursday night when three men jumped the teen near E. 163rd St. and Kelly St., according to the NYPD.
Brutal Stabbing in Soundview Caught on Video
The 34-year-old victim was standing near Lafayette and Soundview avenues when the attacker knocked him off his feet about 8 p.m. Then he stabbed him repeatedly as as a group of frightened pedestrians ran from the the area, police said.
Bronx Robbery Crew Used Snapchat To Lure Victims: Cops
olice are searching for a tech-savvy trio who used Snapchat to lure unsuspecting victims to locations in the Bronx, where they robbed them at knifepoint, officials said.
Black Men More Than Twice As Likely To Be Killed By Police in U.S.:Study
Black men in America are two-and-a-half times more likely to be killed by law enforcement over their lifetime than white men, according to a new Rutgers-Newark study.
Bronx Man Accidentally Killed by Cousin: NYPD
Mohammed Touray, 18, handed the pistol to cousin Omar Touray, 21, about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, having left a bullet in its chamber, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Man Convicted Of Attempted Murder in U-Haul Shooting
Jurors also convicted Jamil Fields, 56, of first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for the July 2017 attack, which left a man with gunshot wounds to his head, arm, and torso.
Man Shot in Westchester Square Dies of Injuries
A still unidentified gunman shot Edwin Monroig as he walked down East Tremont Avenue in Westchester Square about 9:50 p.m. on July 28, according to the NYPD.
32-Year-Old Man Fatally Shot in Morris Heights
By Sasha Gonzales [email protected] A man was fatally shot in his back in Morris Heights Saturday, police said. The 32-year-old victim was found unconscious across […]
NYC Health Care Program Now Available in Bronx
A new affordable health care program took effect in the Bronx this week, with New York City now footing bills for medical services to uninsured borough residents—regardless of their citizenship status.
Bronx Woman Targeted Homes During Funerals: Prosecutors
A Bronx woman used online obituaries to help her carry out a string of home burglaries—crimes committed while the occupants were out attending funerals, prosecutors said.
Police Seek Gunman Who Shot Victim in Head
Police released surveillance footage of the shooter, who wounded the 34-year-old victim in the back of his head as he walked down East Tremont Avenue in Westchester Square, officials said.
Exclusive: Bronx DA To Vacate Gravity Knife Convictions After Statute’s Repeal
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office will vacate gravity knife convictions for those found guilty under a recently repealed state law, Bronx Justice News has learned.
Family of Dead Twins Raising Money for Burial, Legal Costs
As of Monday afternoon, the family of Juan Rodriguez had used their GoFundMe page to raise more than $37,000–over half of their $60,000 goal.
Move Over, Scarface: Bronx Inmate Seeks Name Change To “Tony Montana”
The 55-year-old inmate, who is locked up at the Manhattan Detention Complex, said in court papers filed in the Bronx last week that he’s due to be released soon and must “change my name as my present name is very well known.”
Father Whose Twin Babies Died In Bronx Released on Bail
The father whose twin babies died after he said he forgot them inside his sweltering car in the Bronx was released on $100,000 bail Saturday.
Twin Bronx Infants Found Dead in Hot Car; Father Left Them Inside More Than Eight Hours
Juan Rodriguez, 39, also faces manslaughter charges in the deaths of Mariza Rodriguez and his sister Phoenix. Rodriguez, a social worker, told investigators he left the infants in the backseat of his Honda Accord while he went to his job at James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Kingsbridge.
Beefing Bronx Men Indicted for Gunplay That Wounded 7-Year-Old
Keyshawn Williams, 21, of 600 East 137th Street and Manuel Colon, 31, of 637 East 138 Street were acting on a personal beef when they allegedly exchanged gunfire in front of 600 East 137th Street on June 5.
Death of 8-Month Old Bronx Girl Ruled Homicide
The baby’s mother, Emily Ramirez, 23, left little Amelia Belle Perez in the bathtub of their Vyse Avenue apartment in the Murphy Houses about 6:30 p.m. on July 3, according to authorities.
Man Stabbed to Death Outside Woodlawn Cemetery
Mark Willis, 52, suffered a stab wound to his chest before cops found him lying unconscious on Bronx Boulevard about 6 a.m. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Montefiore Medical Center.
Responding to A Bronx Justice News Report, Councilman Calls For Limit to Corporate Fees on Inmate Families
Councilman Keith Powers on Monday called for the limiting or removal of deposit surcharges imposed on prisoners’ families in New York City.
4,505,100 Opioid Pain Pills, One Bronx Pharmacy: How Drug Suppliers Fueled an Overdose Crisis
The 161st Street Pharmacy in Melrose received enough pain pills to supply every Bronx resident with multiple doses—part of a wave of powerful painkillers that led to a surge in overdose deaths, new data shows.
Captive Market: Companies Earn Millions in Fees From NYC Prisoners’ Families, Despite Law Limiting Surcharges
Documents obtained by Bronx Justice News show money transfer companies are earning millions in surcharge fees from families of incarcerated New Yorkers, their profits boosted by a workaround of state laws meant to limit exorbitant fees.
Death of Woman In Bronx Homeless Shelter Deemed Suspicious
A 45-year-old woman was found dead on the floor of a South Bronx homeless shelter Thursday morning, and detectives are investigating her death as suspicious, police said.
Teen Arrested in Bronx Cabbie Death
Ahvier Medina surrendered to the NYPD with his lawyer Tuesday after authorities released his surveillance photo in connection with the July 14 death of Mohammad Zafrullah, 65, according to an NYPD official.
Police Hunt Serial Groper in Bronx
The NYPD is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the attacker, whose likeness was captured in a police sketch distributed to the public Wednesday.
Police Want To Question Homeless Man in Slaying of Bronx Dad
Terrance Caudle, 30, is a person of interest in the June 30 killing of O’Brian Maxwell, also 30, who was found dead in the stairwell of his apartment building on White Plains Road, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Cabbie Killed By Own Taxi
Mohammad Zafrullah, 65, exited his cab and ran after a customer who didn’t pay him in Soundview, but he failed to put the vehicle in park, according to the NYPD.
Attacker Pummels Man on Bronx Bus, Knocking Out Eight Teeth
The July 2 assault happened on an eastbound BX36 bus as it traversed East 180th Street near 3rd Avenue about 11 p.m., according to the NYPD.
Report of Foul Odor Leads Police to Dead Bronx Woman
Cindi Olivo, 33, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her Bronx apartment Friday, after a 911 caller reported a foul odor coming from inside, police said.
Death of 1-Month Old Bronx Girl Ruled Homicide
Authorities found Monreux Mercado unresponsive about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday inside a Webster Avenue apartment after someone called 911, authorities said.
“Go Back to Your Country”:Police Search For Woman Who Committed Possible Hate Crime On Subway
An argument broke out between the two women, during which the attacker allegedly removed the 54-year-old victim’s contractor helmet and slammed it into her face while making anti-Hispanic statements, police said
A Commercial DNA Testing Company Wants to Team With New York Police to Find Criminals, But Privacy Advocates Fear A Genetic Dragnet
The Department of Health expects to approve licenses for Parabon— a Virginia-based company that markets forensic genealogical testing and consultant work to law enforcement—as well as a separate lab that handles most of Parabon’s DNA samples, once all required documentation is reviewed, state officials said.
Bronx Councilwoman: Censor Hip-Hop Stations When Kids Are Listening
Bronx Councilwoman Inez Barron last month introduced a resolution that would limit the playing of profane and explicit songs on popular New York City hip-hop stations between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.—the hours when children are likeliest to tune in.
Three NYPD Officers Injured in Bronx Police Chase; Alleged Drunk Driver to Blame
NYPD officers saw the motorist driving recklessly on Hunts Point Avenue near Bruckner Boulevard shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, police said. When they tried to pull the car over, the driver fled and struck two vehicles, including a police car, authorities said.
Bronx Man Fatally Shot in University Heights
A 44-year-old man was found shot to death in the bedroom of his University Heights apartment Friday, police said.
Bronx Woman Shackled While Giving Birth Wins $610,000 Settlement
The 27-year-old was more than nine months pregnant when arrested, and due to give birth any time. After a stay in jail, officers brought her to Montefiore and chained her to her hospital bed, using metal handcuffs and leg shackles.
Bronx Immigrant’s Conviction Overturned After Court Fails to Warn of Deportation
Jose Bermudez pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery in 2013 and received a sentence of 3½ years imprisonment. The state Appellate Division’s First Department reversed that conviction on June 25.
Exclusive: Bronx Navy Veteran Wins Appeal In Kuwait; Marijuana Charges Reduced
A Bronx-born Navy veteran sentenced to 25 years in a Kuwait prison after his conviction on marijuana-related charges saw his sentence reduced to four years this week by a Kuwaiti appellate court, according to family and friends of the prisoner.
Bronx Man Brutally Beaten In 2018 Dies of Injuries
Authorities found Kiro Carter unconscious inside an Audi on Anderson Avenue in Highbridge, with life-threatening injuries to his head and torso, according to the NYPD.
Exclusive: Hundreds of Gallons of Controversial Weedkiller Roundup Still Being Used in NYC Parks
More than 200 gallons of the likely carcinogenic weed killer glysophate was sprayed inside New York City parks last year—including 23 gallons used in 20 Bronx green spaces frequented by children, according to new data obtained by Bronx Justice News.
Bronx Homicides Down Through First Half of 2019: NYPD
The Bronx experienced a near record low number of homicides through the first six months of the year—part of a dramatic decrease in murder totals citywide, NYPD data shows.
Caught in Bureaucratic Maze, Bronx Mom Fights City To Keep Roof Over Kids’ Heads
A formerly homeless Bronx woman was illegally stripped of her Section 8 housing subsidy—and now faces eviction—after the city refused to accept documents showing she still qualifies for the voucher, a new lawsuit claims.
Suspect in Stabbing of 5-Year-Old Bronx Boy Arrested
Police on Sunday arrested a man they believe stabbed a 5-year old boy in his back as the child walked through West Farms with his mother, authorities said.
22-Year-Old Man Slain in Bronx Building Lobby
Alberto DeJesus, 22, was cut down by multiple bullets in the Avenue St. John building around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Man Fatally Shot Outside Webster Houses
Police are searching for the gunman who killed a 33-year-old man outside the Webster Houses in Morrisania Friday, after they took another suspect linked to the shooting into custody, authorities said.
Lack of Education, Low Wages Driving Homelessness in Bronx: Data
Borough-wide, nearly 29 percent of residents lack a high school diploma—more than any other borough, according to the report. The Bronx also has the highest unemployment rate in the city at 11.6 percent, researchers found.
Bronx Cop Commits Suicide; Fourth NYPD Officer To Kill Himself This Month
Kevin Preiss, 53, was found with a fatal gunshot wound after turning a gun on himself on his front porch in Nassau County, officials said.
In Move Expected to Help Grieving Bronx Families, NY State Will Pay Up to $6,000 For Crime Victim Burial Costs
People who paid or incurred burial costs for a crime victim may now be eligible for up to $6,000 total from the state’s Office of Victim Services for expenses including funeral services, burial plot, the deceased’s burial clothes, clergy fees, transportation costs for the deceased, obituaries, and church fees for religious services and flowers.
Bronx Man Indicted For Slashing Throats of Son and Stepdaughter
A Bronx man was indicted Tuesday for allegedly slashing the throats of his 12-year-old son and 18-year-old stepdaughter inside the family’s Kingsbridge apartment, prosecutors said.
DOI Investigation Into Courthouse Underway After Bronx Councilman’s Referral
The DOI probe, now officially underway, marks the first time a government agency has investigated the troubled courthouse on East 161st Street, which opened three years behind schedule, ran $100 million over budget, and spurred a host of lawsuits involving more than 30 parties, from architects and engineers to construction contractors and state agencies.
Bike-Riding Gunman Wounds 3 in Bronx; Latest In String of Similar Shootings
A bicycle-riding gunman wounded three people in Concourse Village Sunday—the latest in a string of shootings perpetrated by attackers who used bikes or motorcycles to help carry out their crimes.
Bronx DA’s Paralegal Arrested After Spilling Heroin, Crack In Lobby of Headquarters
The Bronx’s opioid scourge hit home for the district attorney’s office last week when a DA paralegal accidentally dropped more than three dozen baggies of heroin and crack cocaine in the lobby of office headquarters on East 161st Street, according to court records and authorities.
Trump Delays ICE Raids Expected to Target Immigrant Families
President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was delaying a series of planned ICE raids expected to target illegal immigrant families—enforcement operations that sent fear across Latinx communities nationwide, including the Bronx.
Bronx Families, Rights Groups Preparing for ICE Immigration Raids
Bronx immigrant families and advocates were gearing up for a series of reported ICE raids expected to begin in cities across America Sunday morning.
Bronx Man Sentenced to Life in 2012 Killing
Raheem Simon, 29, fatally shot Jared Jones, 23, in front of 928 Intervale Avenue, as he stood outside a party, prosecutors said.
Rape, Beating of Bronx Woman Racially Motivated: Records
Temar Bishop, 23, who police charged with assault with a weapon as a hate crime—along with rape, predatory sex assault, attempted murder, and other crimes—is accused of punching, kicking, and raping the 20-year-old victim on the roof of his apartment building on Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven on June 1, records show.
Exclusive: Bronx Prosecutors Won Lowest Percentage of Violent Felony Cases in 2018
By Kevin Deutsch [email protected] The Bronx District Attorney’s Office last year had the lowest percentage of violent felony convictions among city prosecutors, securing sentences for […]
Man Fatally Stabbed by Nephew in Williamsbridge
The killer carried out the attack on his 60-year old uncle inside a home on East 220th Street shortly after 8:30 a.m., according to the NYPD.
Bronx Mom, Daughter Slain by Man in Murder-Suicide Try: Police
Linda Manigault, 34, and daughter Heaven Ross were found suffocated inside their Belmont apartment Saturday around 1:30 p.m., according to the NYPD.
Five Trinitarios Members Convicted of Murder in “Junior” Trial
Guzman, an aspiring police detective who participated in the NYPD Explorers program, was dragged out of a local bodega by his killers, who set upon him with knives and a machete in June 2018.
Exclusive Photos: Bronx-Born Navy Veteran Held in Squalid Kuwaiti Prison; Supporters Call on U.S to Intervene
The room Acosta is being held it at the Kuwaiti men’s prison appears to be filled with filth, rotting food, and soiled blankets and clothes, its walls lined with dirty newspapers. A moldy sink, in-floor toilet, and tiles appear in several photos, capturing what appears to be a washing and bathroom.
Exclusive: Bronx Father, Navy Veteran Imprisoned in Kuwait; Sentenced to 25 Years on Marijuana Charges
Nicodemus Acosta, 30, a Computer System Support Specialist with Alaska-based Vista Defense Technologies, had been working in Kuwait for almost four years when the national police arrested him in August on charges of drug use and distribution, after allegedly seizing about 1.75 pounds of marijuana authorities said belonged to him.
Bronx Man Convicted After Photographing, Sex Trafficking Kids From Local Apartment: Feds
Claudius English sex trafficked multiple minor victims out of his Bronx apartment, using the Internet to find, recruit, and lure children there, prosecutors said. Inside, he photographed them in sexually suggestive poses before sending off the photographs to his “clients.”
Exclusive: As NYC Launches Bail Facilitator Program, Critics Say It Falls Short of Law’s Requirements
By Kevin Deutsch [email protected] A new program meant to help defendants return home quickly after an arrest is drawing criticism from public defense groups in […]
Man Stabbed To Death In Mott Haven
The 24-year-old victim was found outside St. Mary’s Park in Mott Haven shortly after 9 p.m., with two severe stab wounds to his torso, police said.
NY State: We Don’t Know How Much Taxpayer Money Was Spent on Shuttered Civic Plaza
The state Dormitory Authority spent more than $400 million in taxpayer dollars to construct the Bronx Hall of Justice, but says it doesn’t know how much of that amount went toward building the property’s civic plaza—a sprawling, unused space that remains closed eleven years after its slated opening date.
Bronx Opioid Ring Busted; Dealers Targeted Drug Treatment Centers: DA
Bronx authorities have charged 22 members of a Sinaloa-connected heroin trafficking ring that flooded the South Bronx with opioids, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Bronx DA’s Campaign Treasurer: “Clerical Error” Led to Disclosure Filing Showing Donation From Bronx Judge
A reported campaign contribution records showed was returned by District Attorney Darcel Darcel Clark to Bronx Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann Brigantti was the result of a clerical error made by the treasurer working on both their re-election campaigns, the official said Wednesday.
Grammy-Winning Drummer Dead After Being Choked in Bronx
By Sasha Gonzales [email protected] A Grammy-winning drummer was killed during a domestic dispute in the stairwell of his Bronx apartment building Sunday afternoon, police said. […]
19-Year-Old Stabbed in Melrose: Police
By Sasha Gonzales [email protected] Police are searching for an attacker who stabbed a 19-year-old man in Melrose last Sunday. The culprit and his victim got […]
Exclusive: Bronx DA Returned Campaign Donation From Censured Bronx Judge, Disclosure Records Show
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark returned a campaign donation made to her election committee by State Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann Brigantti, who hears civil cases in the borough, Bronx Justice News has learned.
New York City’s DNA Database Subject to State Law: Court
By Kevin Deutsch [email protected] A Bronx judge has the legal authority to decide whether a man’s DNA can be expunged from a DNA database maintained […]
Murders, Rapes Down In Bronx: NYPD
Homicides are down significantly in the Bronx this year, falling 38 percent compared with the same five-month period last year, new NYPD data shows.
Bike-Riding Phone Snatcher Targeting Bronx Women: Police
The NYPD recorded six phone-snatching incidents this month, with each of the female victims targeted by a man riding a mountain bike in the Bronx, authorities said. In one case, a woman’s purse was stolen as she ate at an outdoor restaurant table, according to the NYPD.
Bronx DA on Justice Reform Laws: “We Will Not Be Able To Do It” Without More Funding
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Thursday said her office needs millions of dollars in additional funding to enact criminal justice reform laws slated to take effect next year.
Reformers Call on Gov. Cuomo to Sign Gravity Knife Bill, as Bronx DA Signals Support
A coalition of reform advocates on Thursday called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation that would decriminalize possession of gravity knives—a crime for which hundreds of Bronx residents are arrested each year.
Exclusive: 24-Hour Cash Bail Window Set to Open in Bronx This Summer, City Says, But Critics Remain Skeptical
Five months after the de Blasio administration missed a deadline to open a 24-hour bail window in the Bronx courthouse, city corrections officials say they expect to have one up and running this summer.
Reputed Member of ‘Sex, Money, Murder’ Gang Gets Life in 2015 Bronx Killing
Erin Hall, 42, of 1950 Andrews Avenue, fatally shot Felix De La Cruz,who challenged Hall with taunts of “do it, do it,” before Hall shot him in the head on April 15, 2015, according to eyewitness testimony at Hall’s trial.
3 Shot in Co-Op City: NYPD
At least one shooter opened fire near 100 Carver Loop around 6:30 p.m., before a suspect fled in a black Nissan, according to police. No arrests had been made as of late Monday.
Police: Man in Ski Mask Storms NYPD Precinct, Seeking Suicide-By-Cop
Montey White, 27, was subdued by officers and arrested on charges that include weapon possession, menacing a police officer, and obstructing governmental administration.
Exclusive: After CODIS Glitch, State DNA Committee Chides FBI For Secrecy
The FBI has refused a request from New York state’s DNA subcommittee to provide detailed information about a software glitch causing problems with the bureau’s CODIS system, spurring criticism from state officials.
In NYC’s Hungriest Borough, Hundreds Line Up For Free Produce
Research shows more than 26 percent of Bronx residents experience food insecurity—defined as being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Among them are more than 20 percent of all Bronx children, nearly 17 percent of working adults, and almost 24 percent of seniors, according to federal data.
Police: Man Who Sexually Abused Patient in Coma Arrested
The 68-year-old female victim, who is in a coma, was not aware of the abuse, authorities said. It was reported by another patient in the room, who saw the man touching and kissing the unconscious woman about 3 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Hospital
New Laws Would Make it Easier to Visit NY Inmates
One bill would reinstate a free New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision bus program—begun in 1973 but discontinued in 2011—that shuttles families twice a month from New York City, Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, and Syracuse to New York State prisons.
Bronx Leads NYC In Fare Evasion Arrests: Data
The NYPD Transit Bureau’s three Bronx districts accounted for at least 345 straphanger arrests during the period covered by the data. Citywide, police made 992 arrests for fare evasion, including 142 in which a specific borough was not recorded, the data shows.
Dispatch times for NYPD in Bronx Among Slowest in City: Report
In 2018, the average dispatch time of 5.6 minutes in the Bronx exceeded the citywide average by nearly 2 minutes, about three times the difference in 2014, the Independent Budget Office found.
32-Year Old Man Fatally Shot In Bronx
Cory Mitchell suffered a gunshot wound to the head outside a building on East 224th Street in Wakefield shortly after 1:30 am., according to the NYPD.
NY State Says It Needs Three Weeks to Locate Hall of Justice Financial Records
In response to a Freedom of Information Law Request by Bronx Justice News, the state Dormitory Authority on Wednesday said it was still searching its records to determine how much taxpayer money it spent to construct the Bronx Hall of Justice—including its still-shuttered civic plaza.
New Legislation Would Mandate Release of NYPD’s Local Clearance Data
New legislation would require the NYPD to publish case clearance rates for individual precincts—a change that would dramatically increase the amount of information available to Bronx residents.
Record Coke Bust Targets Valentine Avenue Drug Market
The accused traffickers allegedly sold coke in bulk to distributors, who in turn sold the drug in $10 and $20 packets—sometimes in crack form—on Valentine Avenue between the Grand Concourse and East 187th Street, prosecutors said.
Exclusive: Overbilling Scheme, Lawsuits Involving Bronx Courthouse Cost Taxpayers Millions
New York taxpayers were bilked out of millions of dollars as part of a massive overbilling scheme involving the Bronx Hall of Justice—one of a host of missteps that led to over $100 million in cost overruns and years of litigation involving the project, Bronx Justice News has learned.
12 Years After Highlighting Problems at Hall of Justice, Former Councilman Lauds Move to Investigate Troubled Building
When former New York Attorney General and City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell first called for an investigation into the Bronx Hall of Justice in 2007, his pleas fell on deaf ears. Now, with a Department of Investigation probe looming, he says it’s about time the city get to the bottom of what went wrong.
Bronx Justice News Analysis: A Move Toward Accountability, Eleven Years In the Making
After more than a decade of taxpayer waste and mismanagement at the Bronx Hall of Justice, Councilman Ritchie Torres’ announcement of an official investigative referral doubled as a stinging rebuke—not just of the government bureaucracies responsible for building and maintaining the troubled courthouse, but also of the oversight system that allowed its myriad problems to go unchecked.
Responding to a Bronx Justice News Investigation, Councilman Sets Probe of Troubled Courthouse Into Motion
Responding to a Bronx Justice News investigation, City Councilman Richie Torres on Friday said he would make a referral to the Department of Investigation that triggers a probe into the Bronx Hall of Justice—a property plagued by years of government waste and delays.
After Revelations of Wasted Tax Dollars, State Keeps Construction Costs For Troubled Bronx Courthouse Secret
The state Dormitory Authority this week declined to make public the amount of taxpayer funds spent to construct the troubled Bronx Hall of Justice, including expenditures on the building’s still-shuttered civic plaza and rooftop rock garden, following a Bronx Justice News investigation.
Bronx Dad Charged With Murder In Death of Infant Son
Christian Rodriguez, 25, was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas, who ordered him held without bail. Previously, he’d been charged only with multiple counts of assault in the case.
Bronx DA Says Her Prosecutors Struggle to Institute Bail Reforms
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark told an audience Tuesday her prosecutors have struggled to adopt her policy of seeking lower bail amounts—in part because of the tough-on-crime ethos that pervaded her office under longtime DA Robert Johnson.
Exclusive: Bronx Businesses Sue Mayor De Blasio Over Vision Zero Plan
A group of Morris Park business owners sued Mayor Bill de Blasio Monday over his Vision Zero corridor plan Monday, seeking an injunction that would halt traffic changes they say threaten their livelihoods.
23-Year-Old Man Killed in Bronx Shooting
The shooting happened about 11:30 a.m. Saturday as he stood outside an apartment building on Belmont Avenue near Tremont Park, police said. He was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Bronx DA to Review Casework of Detective Accused in Frame-ups
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office will investigate the local casework of NYPD Detective Joseph Franco, who is accused of framing at least three defendants on drug charges in Manhattan.
Detective Accused of Framing Three Suspects Also Worked Cases in Bronx
The Legal Aid Society on Thursday called on Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark to review every case her office prosecuted involving NYPD Detective Joseph Franco, who is accused of framing at least three defendants on drug charges.
Michael Quiles, Man Who Shot Jaheem Hunter, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Quiles, 29, was acquitted of attempted murder at his trial last month, but convicted on the lesser charge of weapon possession—a verdict that shocked Jaheem’s still-reeling family.
Accused Killer Wins New Trial in Bronx Drive-By Slay
An appeals court threw out Reginald Goldman’s manslaughter conviction Tuesday, ruling that his lawyer was improperly denied an opportunity to review the search warrant authorities used to extract Goldman’s DNA.
Bronx Man Fatally Shoots Himself With NYPD Officer’s Gun
Frederick Afoakwah, 21, picked up the weapon that Housing Bureau Officer Martinson Afariyeboahm had placed on a coffee table inside Afoakwah’s apartment on Mosholu Parkway near Jerome Avenue early Sunday.
Exclusive: Construction Worker Was Killed During Building of Troubled Bronx Courthouse
Joao Goncalves was pouring concrete at the construction site on June 10, 2003 when he fell down an elevator shaft, plunging from the seventh floor onto a second-floor landing, suffering terminal injuries.
Exclusive: Councilman Eyes Investigation Into Taxpayer Waste, Mismanagement at Bronx Courthouse
Responding to a Bronx Justice News investigation revealing millions in squandered tax dollars and lack of oversight at the courthouse, City Councilman Ritchie Torres, Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Committee, said he is weighing an official probe into the troubled building.
Police Bust Man Who Used Hypodermic Needle to Rob Bronx Cell Phone Shop, NYPD Says
Luis Ortiz, 36, allegedly strolled into the Metro PCS store at Westchester and Longwood Avenues about 3:20 p.m. Sunday, pretending to be a perusing customer. After a few moments he flashed the needle, moved behind the store counter, and threatened a terrified female clerk, according to the NYPD.
Federal Monitor: Statute of Limitations Expired in 1,500 Jail Misconduct Probes, Limiting Accountability
The city’s Correction Department is struggling to manage a massive backlog of disciplinary cases, resulting in the statute of limitations expiring in about 1,500 use of force investigations, according to a new federal monitor report.
In Policy Shift, New York Courts Move to Stop Warrantless ICE Arrests
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will no longer be able to arrest New Yorkers inside state courthouses without a warrant or judicial order—a policy shift aimed at preventing authorities from using courthouses as “hunting grounds,” immigrant rights advocates said.
Mold, Rodents, Lead, and Leaks Among Violations In Neglected Bronx Building: Lawsuit
The Legal Aid Society is suing a pair of “neglectful” Bronx landlords on behalf of 14 tenants, alleging the men violated a tenant harassment law and seeking a court order forcing them to make desperately needed repairs, court records show.
Attackers Slash Face of Bronx Man in Brazen Daytime Attack
The victim was grabbed from behind by one attacker, then another set upon him before a third slashed him on his face with a blade—all while a fourth attacker stood watch, authorities said.
Man Uses Hypodermic Needle to Rob Bronx Cell Phone Shop
The unidentified robber strolled into the store at Westchester and Longwood Avenues about 3:20 p.m. Sunday, pretending to be a perusing customer. After a few moments he flashed the needle, moved behind the store counter, and threatened the female clerk, according to the NYPD.
Bronx Justice News Investigation: Eleven Years Behind Schedule, Court’s “Civic Plaza” Remains a Blight on Property, Costing Taxpayers Millions
Eleven years after the Bronx Hall of Justice opened its doors on East 161st St., the building’s sprawling “public courtyard” remains closed to the public. The unused space is costing taxpayers millions in maintenance and repair expenditures, and is unlikely to ever see public use unless an array of safety issues are addressed, a Bronx Justice News investigation found.
Nearly 1,000 New Yorkers Have Criminal Records Sealed Under “Raise the Age” Law: Data
The law is best known for mandating that 16- and 17-year-old offenders no longer be automatically prosecuted as adults. But the legislation also allows any New Yorker who has remained crime-free for 10 years—and has two convictions or fewer on their record—to request certain state convictions be sealed.
Uber IPO Could Spark Wave of Sex Assault Disclosures
Uber’s IPO filing Wednesday included a promise to publicly release data about alleged sexual assaults committed by Uber drivers — disclosures that could reveal the scope of driver misconduct incidents in the five boroughs.
Man Who Shot Bronx College Student In Back Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison
Before his death, victim Vivian Connell had been on the verge of graduating from the College of New Rochelle with a degree in psychology. An honor roll student, he was also raising a little girl.
In Move Expected to Ease Burden on Bronx Families, City Council Votes to Eliminate Bail Fees
The New York City Council on Tuesday passed legislation to eliminate fees on all bail payments made by credit card — a change expected to ease the burden on Bronx families impacted by incarceration.
Court Overturns Conviction of Man Accused of Torturing, Beating Puppy To Death
Dwayne Gentles, who served a one-year prison sentence for his 2015 conviction for animal cruelty, won his appeal on the grounds a Bronx trial judge issued overly broad jury instructions.
Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Her Campaign Coffers Bolstered By Developers and Labor Unions, Poised to Win Re-Election
No candidate has mounted a challenge to incumbent Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, who has collected campaign donations from a broad cross-section of contributors.
Protester Arrested Outside Bronx Courthouse Sues State, Says NY Law Violates First Amendment Rights
Activist Michael Picard, who was arrested outside the Bronx Hall of Justice, says a law criminalizing certain speech within 200 feet of a courthouse violates his constitutional rights.
Bronx Man Wanted for Murder Captured Upstate
The U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with the NYPD and local police, tracked Keith Clarkson, 25, to a home in New Hartford Tuesday.
Exclusive: Incarcerated New Yorkers To Gain Email Access Starting This Month
Inmates at five New York State prisons recently received tablet computers as part of a new program, and will be able to send and receive emails with those outside prison walls starting this month.
Bronx Judge Orders Ex-Congressman Anthony Weiner to Register as Sex Offender
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Raymond Bruce ordered Weiner register as a a level 1 sex offender – the lowest designation in the state sex offender registry – during a risk level assessment hearing, records show.
Bronx Man Arrested After Discussing Attacks on U.S., Joining ISIS: Feds
Fabjan Alameti, 21, who records show spent years in the Bronx before moving to Montana last month, was charged Thursday with making false statements regarding domestic and international terrorism, as well as gun and drug possession, officials said.
One Man Killed, Another Wounded by Gunfire in Bronx
Paramedics rushed Quamel Anderson, 28, to Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A second victim, a 34 year-old man, walked into Lincoln Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, police said.
Man Sentenced To Life For Killing Two Bronx Livery Drivers
Prosecutors said Tyrone Felder and three other men – Kareem Martin, Takiem Ewing, and Tommy Smalls – carjacked and killed two Bronx livery drivers during a violent crime spree in August 2014.
Bronx Brothers Who Fled To Puerto Rico Sentenced in Fatal Stabbing
When his younger brother got into a fistfight with the victim, Brandon Garcia stabbed him three times in the torso, the force of the stabbing causing the knife handle to break off from the blade and become stuck in his body, prosecutors said.
NYPD Data: Reports of Rape Up 27 Percent in The Bronx
There were 107 documented reports of rape in the Bronx as of March 31 – the last date for which official statistics are available – representing a 27.4 percent increase from the 84 rapes reported during the same period last year, according to NYPD Compstat data. The total represents nearly a quarter of all rapes reported citywide.
Two Charged With Murder in Stabbing Outside Bronx Nightclub
Two men have been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of Kareem Allen, 29, outside a Bronx nightclub Sunday, authorities said
One Dead in Shooting, Stabbing Outside Bronx Nightclub: NYPD
The brawl broke out shortly before 4 a.m. in front of Oze Tavern on E. 138th St. and Third Ave. in Mott Haven, according to the NYPD.
13-Year-Old Who Brought BB Gun to School Charged With Weapon Possession: Officials
NYPD officers responded to the building after faculty members learned the boy had pointed the weapon at a 12-year-old girl at school, authorities said. They seized the gun, as well as multiple BB magazines.
Leaders of Blood Hound Brims, Gang That Controlled Bronx Drug Markets, Convicted in Federal Court
Latique Johnson, 39, the set’s founder, as well as Brandon Green, 36, and Donnell Murray, 39, were instrumental in the gang’s drug trafficking operations – the Blood Hound Brims sold crack, powder cocaine, and heroin across New York City – as well as acts of gun violence regularly carried out by set members to control Bloods’ territory and intimidate enemy gangs, officials said.
Authorities Spent Thousands To Punish One Bronx Farebeater. Was It Worth the Cost in Lost Swipes?
Herminio Robles has cost the City of New York a few dozen dollars in MetroCard swipes. But the criminal justice system has spent tens of thousands of dollars punishing him for it.
Man Accused In Double Murder Sentenced For Breaking Correction Officer’s Jaw on Rikers
Tariq Hargrove, 22, pleaded guilty to assaulting Correction Officer Richy Herrera Castillo, leaving him with facial injuries so serious he needed a metal plate permanently implanted in his jaw.
Man Accused Of Shooting Jaheem Hunter Acquitted of Attempted Murder
Michael Quiles, the man accused in the April 2017 shooting that left 5-year-old Jaheem Hunter permanently injured, has been acquitted of attempted murder.
Death of Bronx 1-Year-Old Ruled Homicide After Tests Show He Ingested Heroin, Fentanyl
Police responding to a 911 call for an unconscious baby in Morris Heights Dec. 27 found Darwin Gonzalez-Santana unresponsive, authorities said.
Exclusive: Accused NYPD Captain Loses Fight to Suppress Phone Records
Attorneys for Captain Naoki Yaguchi had argued the NYPD never warned him his cell phone data would not be kept private, and that prosecutors illegally obtained the records without a warrant.
Bronx DA Urged To Drop Charges Against Woman Who Lost Eye In “Vicious” NYPD Beating
Johanna Pagan-Alomar, 45, of the Bronx, is charged with assault, harassment, and obstructing government administration for allegedly accosting Officer Theresa Lustica from behind while Lustica’s partner was arresting Pagan’s friend, Andy Rodriguez, 35, for heroin possession on June 7.
Man Arrested In Bronx Subway Attack: “Yeah, That’s Me In The Video”
Prosecutors say Marc Gomez, 36, repeatedly kicked the homeless 78-year old victim in her head, neck, and chest while wearing boots. A passenger filmed video of the attack, which went viral on social media and sparked criticism of straphangers who stood by watching instead of intervening.
Spate of Shootings in Bronx Wound Multiple Victims, Including 13-Year-Old Bystander
A spate of shootings in the Bronx has wounded at least five victims during the past two days, including a 13-year-old and 16-year-old boy, authorities said.
Killer Gets 13 Years in Plea Deal With Bronx Prosecutors
Kevin Pettiway, 29, a Staten Island resident who formerly lived in the Bronx, shot Jayquan Smalls, 24, in his head and chest after they argued in the 1300 block of Webster Avenue in October 2017, authorities said.
Arms Dealer Who Sold Assault Rifles Indicted in Bronx: Prosecutors
Prosecutors said Frankie Esperanza, 34, sold guns to an undercover detective on eight different occasions. Among the inventory that allegedly changed hands: two semi-automatic assault rifles, a high-capacity magazine, and more than two hundred rounds of ammo.
Exclusive: Violence Down Sharply at Horizon Juvenile Center in Bronx, Records Show
The official city data, obtained exclusively by Bronx Justice News, shows 16 and 17-year-olds are leading lives less permeated by the kind of institutional violence they experienced at Rikers.
Bronx Dad Charged In Death of Infant Had History of Abuse: Prosecutors
Christian Rodriguez, 24, is charged with multiple counts of assault and could face homicide charges depending on son Aiden’s autopsy results, prosecutors said.
Bronx DA Seeks Funding for New Tech, Says Her Office’s Case Tracking System Is From “Atari” Era
District Attorney Darcel Clark said the need for a new system became abundantly clear following an assessment the DA’s office conducted on its technology and analytical tools last year with the help of the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Sister of Jaheem Hunter Testifies: “I Know Who Shot Him”
Michael Quiles, 29, allegedly fired at least four shots at a man during a feud over a drug deal – one of which penetrated Jaheem Hunter’s head. Aja Holmes said she looked up after Jaheem fell and clearly saw Quiles firing shots in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue in Morissania.
Bronx DA To Clear All Outstanding Summonses for “Quality of Life” Crimes
The announcement comes after Queens City Council Member Rory Lancman sent a letter to all five city DA’s last week urging them to “dismiss all criminal summonses for offenses that were effectively decriminalized by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2016.”
Man Who Wounded NYPD Cop in ’99 Bronx Shootout Arrested: NYPD
Lester Pearson, 43, was captured by U.S. Marshals in Jacksonville twenty years after he allegedly shot Officer Vincent Ling during a chaotic shootout between the men on East Gun Hill Road, officials said.
Ex-Con Accused of Raping 83-Year-Old Held on $10 K Bail
Gary Mallette, 51, also faces multiple charges stemming from a Feb. 25 domestic violence incident, including petit larceny and criminal contempt for disobeying the court, records show.
Bloods Member Who Killed Father of Three Gets 25 Years to Life in Prison
Victim Jose Ingles, 37, was double-parked in front of a deli at 706 Faile Street in May 2016 when Fredrick Jones, 29, of the East Bronx, shot him six times in his face, chest, and stomach, prosecutors said.
Exclusive: After Bouncer Stabs Customer, State Cracks Down on Troubled Bronx Nightclub
Gunfire and fights in the streets outside. Unlicensed security guards. A bouncer stabbing a clubgoer with a pen knife.The history of Spades Lounge spans just ten months, but the club has seen plenty of controversy since its May 1 opening.
Man Who tried To Rape 83-Year-Old Arrested In Subway: NYPD
Gary Mallette, 51, whose criminal history includes more than 50 arrests and several completed prison terms for robbery, allegedly posed as a NYCHA repairman to get into the elderly victim’s apartment – then ripped her clothes off and beat her. She suffered numerous broken ribs and other injuries from being punched, police said.
Five Gang Members Charged With Attempted Murder After Stray Bullet Wounded NYPD Cop: Feds
The “Jack Boyz” have carried out numerous shootings, robberies, and drug deals in and around the Bronx, retaliating against rival gangs “to promote the standing and reputation of the Jack Boyz, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business,” federal prosecutors said.
Bronx Murder Case Solved After 10 Years: Officials
Jamal Brissett, aka “Trigger,” 30, of the Bronx, is charged with murdering Leshaun Gordon, 19, on June 30, 2009. He allegedly shot and killed the victim inside a car “in the course of a drug-trafficking crime and a robbery in the vicinity of Mickle Avenue and Chester Street,” officials said.
“Spider Man: Turn off The Dark” Dancer Sentenced in Killing of Boyfriend
Marcus Bellamy, 35, killed Bernardo Almonte, 27, in August 2016 inside the West 174th Street apartment they shared. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter last month, thus avoiding a possible life sentence.
With Youth Jobs Program, Bronx Councilman Hopes to Lure Teens Away From Gang Life
“Every young person who wants a job should be able to get one, period,” Torres told Bronx Justice News. “A job is a deterrent to violence and joining a gang.”
Police Hunt Burglar Who Prowled Infant’s Room in Riverdale
A camera in the sleeping 2-month-old’s room captured the intruder slinking past the baby’s crib shortly after 8 p.m. Friday. The burglar got into the apartment, located near Johnson Avenue and West 236th Street, through an unlocked fire escape window, police said.
City Settles Suit After Video Caught NYPD Officer Dragging Student Off Bus By Her Hair, Slamming Head Against Concrete: Records
Andrea Lounds filed the excessive force suit accusing NYPD Officer Lorraine Fuentes and other Bronx cops of “brutalizing” her teenage daughter on May 10, 2016 as the girl, identified in court papers as D.E., rode a city bus home from school in the Bronx around 1:45 p.m.
Bronx DA Comes Out in Favor of Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
Pending state legislation would make New York the 13th state, in addition to Washington D.C., to allow undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses.
TSA: Bronx Man With Loaded Gun Tried to Push Past Officers In JFK Terminal
A Bronx man armed with a loaded 9 millimeter pistol – and carrying fake identification documents – was arrested after he tried to push past TSA officers at a JFK Airport checkpoint, officials said.
Exclusive: Family of Man Who Hanged Himself In Bronx Precinct Wins $775,000 Settlement
Samuel Reyes, 49, used a piece of drawstring to commit suicide in November 2015 after NYPD officers from the 49th Precinct arrested him on suspicion he’d been involved in two armed robberies. His family filed a wrongful death suit in Manhattan federal court the following year, alleging it took officers at the station house nearly half an hour to notice Reyes hanging from a bar in one of the holding cells – located 25 to 30 feet, and within plain sight, of the front desk, records show.
Bronx, Brooklyn DA’s Join Prosecutors from Twelve States in Calling for End to Money Bail in NY
A group of fourteen prosecutors from cities across the U.S., including the District Attorneys of Brooklyn and Albany, sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo and the state legislature Wednesday calling for an end to money bail in New York. Not among the signees: Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance, Staten Island DA Michael McMahon, and outgoing Queens DA Richard Brown.
Jury Won’t Hear Dramatic 911 Call in Case of Wounded 5-Year-Old Jaheem Hunter
Unable to speak, walk, or breathe on his own in the weeks after the June 2017 shooting – which happened on his fifth birthday – the little boy fought valiantly to stay alive, making what his family called a “miraculous” recovery. Authorities credited the quick thinking of his sister, Aja Holmes, and father, Charles Hunter, who cradled the bleeding child en route to the hospital, with saving his life.
Reputed Member of ‘Sex, Money, Murder’ Gang Convicted in 2015 Bronx Killing
Erin Hall, 42, faces a sentence of up to life in prison for the 2015 slaying of Felix De La Cruz, who challenged Hall with taunts of “do it, do it,” before Hall shot him in the head, according to eyewitness testimony.
Amid Surge in Rape Cases, NYPD To Deploy More Cops to Bronx Precinct
Eight additional police officers will be sent to the 43rd Precinct following a sharp increase in rape totals in the Bronx, NYPD officials announced Monday.
District Attorney Darcel Clark On Criminal Justice Reform Legislation: “The question is not if but how we implement.”
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark this weekend signaled her support for progressive, statewide criminal justice reform, exclusively telling Bronx Justice News that changes to the current system are “inevitable.”
Los Vagos vs. Los Cholos: Inside the Gangland Feud At Center of Teen’s Shooting Arrest
When 16-year-old Edgar Garcia allegedly fired three shots across a busy Bronx street Feb. 22, the reputed gang member was partaking in a violent underworld conflict—one whose roots predate his birth, and has sparked dozens of violent assaults and shootings during the past decade.
Police: 16-year-old Gang Member, Suspected of Shooting Into Crowd, In NYPD Custody
A 16-year old gang member was taken into custody by NYPD detectives Friday, suspected of firing three shots on a Concourse street bustling with children and other bystanders, police said.
Prosecutors: Texts, Photos Show Trinitarios Gang Leader Ordered Hit That Killed Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz
Alleged Trinitarios set leader Diego Suero was denied bail in Bronx Supreme Court today after prosecutors said they had photos, texts, and other evidence showing he’s the leader of the gang responsible for the murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz.
Woman’s Killer Arrested 19 Years After Her Own Mother’s Murder
Police have arrested the man they say fatally shot a 36-year-old woman in her head last year – nineteen years after her mother died the same way, officials said. Amere Bryant, 25, is accused of murdering Shaquana Button, of The Bronx, in front of a bodega on East 149th Street in Mott Haven on Jan. 15, 2018, according to the NYPD.
Bronx District Attorney to End Marijuana Prosecutions in Single-Charge Cases
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark has instructed her office to decline prosecutions of marijuana arrests when a defendant faces only a marijuana charge, according to a statement provided to the city council. In the fourth quarter of 2018 alone, around 90 percent of people arrested for marijuana possession in the Bronx were either Black or Hispanic, the DA said.
FBI: Three DNA Labs Reported CODIS Software Glitch; Inaccurate Genetic Information Displayed Due to “Synchronization Issue”
The FBI says a software update to its national DNA database caused incorrect genetic information to display at a handful of local crime labs, but that no offenders were misidentified as a result. Three crime labs in the United States told the FBI they were impacted by the CODIS software glitch, which caused incorrect genetic profile information to be displayed.
Amid Falling Crime Totals, Rapes Surge in Bronx: NYPD Data
Reports of rape in the Bronx have surged during the first weeks of 2019, even as overall violent crime totals in the borough continue to fall, NYPD data shows. There were 64 documented reports of rape in the Bronx as of Feb. 17–the last date for which official statistics are available–representing a 64 percent increase from the 39 rapes reported during the same period last year, according to NYPD Compstat data.
Exclusive: FBI Software Glitch Causing Incorrect DNA Information to Display on Crime Lab Computers
State DNA scientists have discovered a software glitch in the FBI’s national DNA database—a problem officials say led to inaccurate genetic profile information being displayed at local crime labs, Bronx Justice News has learned.
Bronx Backlog Nightmare: Seven Years After Their Arrests, Two Jailed Men Are Still Awaiting Trial
Two men accused in a 2012 murder have spent nearly seven years on Rikers Island and other pre-trial detention facilities–their incarceration a striking example of the case backlog plaguing the Bronx judicial system. Craig Whitefield, 44, and Alonzo Johnson, 41, are accused of killing Jose Andujar and robbing Angel Mangual at the Edenwald Houses, the Bronx’s largest public housing project, in April 2012.
Exclusive: NYPD Plans to Use Controversial “Rapid DNA” Technology as Early as 2019
The NYPD plans to begin using Rapid DNA—a controversial technology that provides near-instantaneous test results on human genetic samples without the need for laboratories—as early as this year, Bronx Justice News has learned. The department is working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to implement the plan, NYPD officials recently told a state subcommittee.