QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Dante Hunter and Shamel Capers following their indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor in Middle Village on July 23, 2023. Hunter is charged with murder, and Capers with attempted murder, among other charges.
The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 23 last year, began when a friend of Taylor’s threw a drink towards Capers and a friend outside a convenience store, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a shootout. Hunter, who joined Capers, is alleged to have fired the round that killed Taylor. The exchange of gunfire resulted in more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings recovered at the scene.
Hunter, 25, of Far Rockaway, faces charges including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Capers, 24, of Brooklyn, faces charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. Both defendants could face up to 25 years to life if convicted of their respective top charges.
The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Christopher Gerardi of the NYPD’s 104th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Lizabeth Klein of the Queens North Homicide Squad. Capers was arrested on May 16 in New Jersey and has been extradited to New York to face charges, while Hunter was already in custody on a parole warrant at the time of the indictment. Justice Michael Aloise has scheduled their next court appearance for June 18.
- Elderly woman scammed out of $24,000 in Henry Hudson Parkway fraud scheme
BRONX, N.Y. — A 78-year-old woman was scammed out of $24,000 after falling victim to a phone fraud scheme and in-person collection on Wednesday, June 11, according to police.
At approximately 11 a.m., the woman was near West 239th Street and Henry Hudson Parkway when she received a call from an individual claiming to be a bank representative. The caller told the victim her account had been compromised and instructed her to transfer $11,000 to resolve the issue.
Later that day, two unidentified individuals arrived at her residence and collected an additional $13,000 in person, police said. The suspects fled the scene on foot, heading northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. No injuries were reported.
One of the suspects was described as a male with a light complexion and glasses. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts, and white sneakers. A description of the second suspect was not provided.
The suspects have not been apprehended, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not said how the individuals knew the victim’s location or why she was targeted.
The NYPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they continue to search for the two suspects involved in the fraud.
- Pharmacy lottery ticket delivers big payday in Queens
HOWARD BEACH, N.Y. — A top-prize winning TAKE 5 ticket worth $29,543 was sold in Howard Beach for the June 23 evening drawing, according to the New York Lottery.
The ticket was purchased at Beyond RX, located at 8239 153rd Avenue. It was the only top-prize ticket drawn in Monday’s evening drawing of the TAKE 5 game.
TAKE 5 drawings are held twice daily, at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with numbers selected from a field of one through 39. Winners have up to one year from the draw date to claim any prize.
The New York Lottery did not release information about the ticket holder, who has not yet come forward publicly.
The game continues to generate regular winners across the state, including multiple five-figure payouts each week.
- Hempstead lottery player snags five-figure win
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — A top-prize winning ticket worth $16,507.50 was sold in Hempstead for the June 22 TAKE 5 MIDDAY drawing, according to the New York Lottery.
The ticket was purchased at Health & Wellness Farmacia Inc., located at 634 Fulton Avenue. The TAKE 5 game draws numbers from a pool of 1 through 39 and is held twice daily, at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Winners have up to one year from the date of the drawing to claim prizes, regardless of the amount.
The June 22 prize-winning ticket was the only top-prize winner in that midday draw. No additional details about the ticket holder were released.
The TAKE 5 game remains one of the New York Lottery’s most frequently hit draw games, regularly awarding thousands of dollars across the state each day.
- Man stabbed and killed inside Manhattan subway station identified
MANHATTAN, N.Y. — A 50-year-old New Jersey man has died after being stabbed at the West 4th Street subway station in Manhattan last weekend, police said.
Officers conducting a routine station inspection around 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, discovered the victim unresponsive with a stab wound to the back of his neck. The incident occurred at the southeast corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 4th Street, within the 6th Precinct and Transit District 2.
Emergency personnel transported the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead by hospital staff.
On Friday, June 20, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially classified the death as a homicide.
Police have identified the victim as Vincent Norman, a 50-year-old man from Jersey City, N.J. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.
Authorities have not released any suspect information or possible motive at this time.
A New Jersey man died after being stabbed at a Manhattan subway station, as the NYPD continues to search for the attacker.
- 22-year-old man fatally shot in the head in Bronx apartment
BRONX, N.Y. — A 22-year-old man is dead after being shot in the head early Tuesday morning in the University Heights section of the Bronx, police said.
Officers responded to a 911 call around 4:33 a.m. reporting a possible shooting at 1836 Cedar Avenue, within the 46th Precinct. Upon arrival, police found the man with a gunshot wound to the head.
Emergency medical services transported the victim to Saint Barnabas Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead by hospital staff, authorities confirmed.
Police have not yet made any arrests, and the investigation is ongoing. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family.
No additional information regarding a motive or suspect description has been released at this time.
