NEW YORK, NY—Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. announced today that Tomas Dunn, 24, has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison for the manslaughter of 41-year-old Saladeen Cochrane in Harlem.
Dunn pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree on June 5, 2024, and received his sentence in the New York State Supreme Court.
The tragic incident occurred on September 30, 2022, around 10:00 p.m., when Dunn encountered Cochrane, his mother’s former partner, near Lenox Avenue and West 145th Street.
After a physical altercation, Dunn armed himself by taking a protective vest from a friend and ambushed Cochrane, shooting him at least eight times. Cochrane was fatally struck once in the back of the head while attempting to flee.
Following the shooting, Dunn fled to his mother’s apartment. His arrest followed on October 16, 2022, after a warrant was issued and police executed a search at his mother’s residence.
DA Bragg expressed his condolences to Cochrane’s family, describing the victim as a “warm and loving person” and a “beloved family man.” He hopes the sentencing brings the family a sense of peace and justice.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Matthew Bogdanos, with Nicole Drosinos and under the supervision of Jessica Lynn and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo. Detective Carlos Thomas of the 32nd Precinct also received special thanks for his role in the investigation.