YONKERS, N.Y. — The Yonkers Police Department has arrested and charged Carlos Villanueva, 31, in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in the early hours of September 8, 2024, on South Broadway.
The victim, identified as 25-year-old Celestino Vasquez-Patricio, was shot in the chest following a dispute with Villanueva.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., officers on patrol near 289 South Broadway heard a gunshot and responded immediately. They found Vasquez-Patricio with a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts from first responders, the victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Detectives from the Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit quickly initiated an investigation, which revealed that the dispute between the two men escalated when Villanueva struck the victim with a firearm before firing a fatal shot. Villanueva attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by responding officers on Ludlow Street. A firearm believed to have been discarded by the suspect was recovered nearby.
Villanueva has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is expected to be arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court later today.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano commended the police for their swift action, stating, “It is critically important we hold people accountable for their actions.” Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza added, “Escalating a dispute by introducing a weapon and resorting to violence is never justified.”
Villanueva will now face the justice system as the investigation continues.