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.
- Earthquake rattles North Jersey and New York City with 3.0 magnitude tremor Saturday night
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake shook parts of northern New Jersey late Saturday night, with the epicenter located in Hasbrouck Heights, according to local and state officials.
The tremor occurred at approximately 10:18 p.m. and was felt in surrounding areas including Paterson, Clifton, Hackensack, and parts of New York City. While the quake was minor, it was strong enough to be felt by residents across Bergen and Passaic counties.
No injuries or significant damage have been reported as of Sunday morning. Authorities are coordinating with state and county emergency management offices to monitor the situation and assess any impact.
Residents who experience property damage or emergencies have been advised to call 911.
New Jersey lies near the Ramapo Fault, a known seismic zone, though quakes of this magnitude remain uncommon. Saturday’s tremor marks one of the stronger events felt in the region this year.
Key Points
- A 3.0 magnitude earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights on Saturday night at 10:18 p.m.
- No injuries or major damage reported; police services remain unaffected
- Officials are working with state and county agencies to monitor the situation
- Bronx man gunned down in early morning shooting outside apartment building
A 23-year-old man was shot and killed early Saturday morning in front of a Bronx apartment building, police said.
Shane Sanchez, 23, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest shortly before 2 a.m. outside 2765 Sampson Avenue, in the Soundview neighborhood. Officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at the location, which is within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 45th Precinct and Police Service Area 8.
Emergency medical crews rushed Sanchez to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced dead.
No arrests have been made, and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Key Points
- Shane Sanchez, 23, was shot in the chest outside 2765 Sampson Avenue in the Bronx
- Incident occurred around 1:47 a.m. Saturday and remains under investigation
- Sanchez was taken to Jacobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead
- Thief smashes car window and steals handbag in Staten Island parking lot
A brazen thief shattered a car window and snatched a handbag in broad daylight Thursday in a Staten Island parking lot before fleeing the scene on foot, police said.
The theft happened around 2:54 p.m. behind 165 Bricktown Way, where the man was first seen entering the lot in a red Mazda sedan just over 20 minutes earlier. After briefly surveying the area, the individual left, only to return minutes later without the vehicle.
The suspect then approached a parked car, broke its window, and stole a handbag before running off in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.
The individual is described as a man with a medium complexion. He was wearing a black Nike cap, a long-sleeved black shirt, black shorts, and dark sneakers.
The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
Key Points
- Man broke car window and stole handbag in Staten Island lot Thursday afternoon
- Suspect initially drove to the location, returned on foot, then fled after the theft
- No injuries reported; investigation remains active
- Teen gets up to 4 years in prison for crash that killed 14-year-old passenger in speeding BMW
An 18-year-old from Queens has been sentenced to up to four years in prison for causing a deadly crash in 2023 that killed 14-year-old Fortune Williams, who was riding in the passenger seat of a speeding BMW he was driving illegally at age 16.
The teen, who was granted youthful offender status by Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky, pleaded guilty in May to multiple charges including second-degree manslaughter, second- and third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. He was sentenced Friday to 1⅓ to 4 years in prison.
Prosecutors said the teenager was driving a red 2005 BMW 325i at 101 miles per hour on North Conduit Avenue on May 17, 2023, more than three times the 30 mph speed limit. While switching lanes, the teen lost control of the car, struck a parked UPS truck, and then collided with a moving tractor-trailer. Williams died as a result of the crash.
The vehicle had been given to him by his parents, who were both criminally charged for allowing their underage son to access and operate it. In a first-of-its-kind case in New York, the parents were held legally accountable.
The teen’s father, Sean Smith, pleaded guilty in 2024 to endangering the welfare of a child and received three years’ probation, along with mandatory parenting classes and attendance at a victim impact panel. His mother, Deo Ramnarine, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly conduct. After completing her court-mandated programs, the more serious charge was dropped, leaving only a disorderly conduct conviction.
The teen had previously been ticketed for driving without a license months before the fatal incident.
- Off-duty NYPD lieutenant busted for DWI in Brooklyn early Saturday
An off-duty NYPD lieutenant was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning for driving while intoxicated in Brooklyn, according to police.
Mark Delossantos, 37, was taken into custody at approximately 1:57 a.m. within the confines of the 78th Precinct. He faces charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Ability Impaired, and Refusal to Take a Breath Test.
Delossantos, a lieutenant with the NYPD, was not on duty at the time of the arrest. Further details regarding the circumstances of the stop have not been released.