By Kevin Deutsch and Sasha Gonzales
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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.
Najhim Luke, 22, of Walton Avenue, was arraigned this week on second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and two counts of weapon possession in Hendricks’ homicide before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler, who ordered Luke held without bail.
Prosecutors said Luke fired shots at a group of people who had gathered for a barbecue on Davidson Avenue June 28. One of the bullets struck Hendricks in his back, authorities said.
He was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting.
“The defendant allegedly callously fired into a group of people and ended the life of a young, promising teen,” said Bronx District Attorney Darrel Clark. “Brandon Hendricks had just graduated James Monroe High School and was set to play college basketball when he was killed on a Morris Heights street. Since his death, Brandon’s mother has channeled her grief into ardently speaking out against gun violence in our community.”
Luke is due back in court Dec. 2.