NEW YORK – A New York City employee was arrested and charged on Monday, for attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment within the confines of the 48 Precinct.
The employee, identified as 44-year-old Richie Torres, works for the Department of Sanitation in the city.
The charges against Torres stem from an incident that occurred on April 4, when he allegedly shot two individuals in the Bronx. One of the victims was a 16-year-old boy who had reportedly stolen Torres’ car, and the other was a 28-year-old bystander who was hit by a stray bullet.
Torres was taken into custody on Monday and was charged with the aforementioned crimes. He is currently awaiting trial.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. issued a statement condemning the shooting, saying “It is completely unacceptable for anyone to take the law into their own hands, especially someone who is employed by the City of New York.”
The New York City Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident, and Commissioner Dermot Shea has promised that the department will “get to the bottom of what happened.”
The two victims of the shooting were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and their conditions are currently unknown.