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.
- Catholic Church working with NYPD in Brooklyn rectory child sexual assault case
QUEENS, NY — A part-time church employee who coordinated altar servers at a Queens parish was arrested earlier this month after an abuse allegation was reported to the Diocese of Brooklyn, officials confirmed.
Angel Ramos, who had worked part-time for nearly two years in the rectory and with the altar server ministry, was arrested on May 2 by the NYPD Queens Special Victims Unit. His arrest followed a report made by the alleged victim’s parents to the parish pastor on April 21.
According to the Diocese, the report was immediately forwarded to law enforcement. Ramos was suspended from his position without pay the next day and barred from accessing parish property.
Following the arrest, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Safe Environment Office and Victim Assistance Coordinator held a meeting with altar servers and notified their families of the situation.
Ramos has not made a public statement, and details of the charges have not been disclosed by authorities as of Saturday.
Diocese affirms response and cooperation with law enforcement
The Diocese stated that it acted promptly upon receiving the allegation and remains committed to child safety within its institutions. “The Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to ensuring the safety of all children and youth,” a spokesperson said.
Parents of altar servers were briefed on the situation as part of a broader safety discussion led by diocesan officials following Ramos’s arrest.
Ramos had no prior public disciplinary record during his tenure with the parish. The parish where he worked has not been named in public statements.
Anyone with information or wishing to report abuse is urged to contact the Diocese’s Reporting Line at (888) 634-4499.
A Queens parish staffer who coordinated altar servers was arrested after a child abuse report led to an NYPD investigation.
- New York City cop charged with harssment and grand larceny
NEW YORK, NY — A 24-year-old NYPD officer has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including grand larceny, following an internal investigation, police confirmed.
James Lawes, an active-duty police officer, was taken into custody and charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, and harassment in the second degree, according to arrest records released Saturday.
Details surrounding the incident that led to Lawes’ arrest were not disclosed. It remains unclear whether the charges stem from an on-duty or off-duty incident.
The NYPD has not commented publicly on Lawes’ current duty status or whether disciplinary measures have been taken in connection with the charges.
As of Saturday evening, no arraignment information or attorney representation had been listed for Lawes.
Grand larceny in the fourth degree in New York typically involves theft of property valued over $1,000. Criminal mischief and harassment charges are often tied to property damage or physical altercations.
Lawes joined the NYPD within the last several years, but the department did not release additionl employment details.
- Man killed, woman injured bloody double shooting in New York City
BRONX, NY — A man is dead and a woman injured following a double shooting in the Bronx on Saturday evening, according to the NYPD.
Police responded to a 911 call for a crime in progress at approximately 8:33 p.m. near 224 Willis Avenue in the 40th Precinct. Upon arrival, officers found a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the chest and a 42-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Emergency medical personnel transported both victims to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital. The woman was reported to be in stable condition.
The identity of the deceased male is being withheld pending family notification, officials said. No information was released about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
As of Sunday, no arrests had been made and no suspects had been publicly identified.
Police investigation underway in deadly Bronx shooting
Detectives remained at the scene Saturday night gathering evidence and speaking with potential witnesses. The area around Willis Avenue was closed off for several hours as the investigation continued.
Officials have not indicated whether the victims knew each other or if either was the intended target.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
- A Staten Island Girl has gone missing, police asking for help in search
STATEN ISLAND, NY — The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing after leaving her Staten Island home Saturday morning.
Aiyanna Bennett was last seen around 11:30 a.m. on May 10 departing her residence near Arlington Avenue, police said. She has not been seen or heard from since.
Bennett is described as a Black female, weighing approximately 145 pounds. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a black sweatshirt, light blue shorts, and black Crocs.
Authorities have not provided details about any possible destination or whether there is any known history of prior disappearances.
Police are asking anyone with information about Aiyanna Bennett’s whereabouts to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or visit their local precinct.
- 14-year-old girl reported missing from Bronx residence, police say
BRONX, N.Y. — A 14-year-old girl was reported missing Wednesday night after she was last seen at her home in the Bronx, according to the NYPD.
Faith Henson was last seen at approximately 9:00 p.m. at her residence, though police did not release the specific address. Her disappearance was reported shortly afterward by family members.
Henson is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 135 pounds. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing black leggings, black and pink shorts, and gray New Balance sneakers.
The NYPD has classified her as a missing juvenile and issued an alert to the public for assistance in locating her. There is currently no indication of foul play, and authorities have not stated whether she may have left voluntarily or under suspicious circumstances.
Anyone with information is urged to contact local precincts or the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers tip line.