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.
- Nypd cop busted in Staten Island hit-and-run, refused breath test
Staten Island, NY – An off-duty police officer was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash and refusing to take a breath test, officials said.
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old NYPD officer Alfredo Loyogarcia, was taken into custody at approximately 6:08 a.m. within the confines of the 121st Precinct, according to police.
Loyogarcia has been charged with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and refusal to take a breath test. The NYPD did not immediately disclose details of the crash, including whether there were injuries or property damage.
The officer was off duty at the time of the arrest. The department said the case is under review by its Internal Affairs Bureau, as is standard procedure when members of service face criminal charges.
No further information was immediately available on his arraignment or potential suspension.
The NYPD declined additional comment.
- Wellsville pair charged in meth sales after police investigation
Wellsville, NY – Two village residents were taken into custody this week following a months-long investigation into alleged methamphetamine sales earlier this year.
Police said Michelle K. Fauth, 47, and Bruce J. McCormick, 61, both of Wellsville, were arrested Wednesday in connection with drug transactions that occurred in March and April. Investigators charged Fauth with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, all classified as Class D felonies. McCormick faces one count of criminal sale and one count of criminal possession, also Class D felonies.
Both suspects were processed at the Wellsville Police Department before being transported to the Allegany County Jail to await arraignment in CAP Court. They are scheduled to appear in Wellsville Village Court at a later date.
What began as a spring investigation has now brought two Wellsville residents before the courts.
- Manhattan man sentenced to 18 years for brutal deli and subway attacks
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A Manhattan man was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in state prison for two back-to-back assaults that left strangers with severe injuries after unprovoked attacks in a Midtown deli and subway station.
A New York Supreme Court jury convicted Christopher Velarde, 40, in August of robbery and assault charges tied to the violent incidents. Prosecutors said Velarde’s spree began just after 1 a.m. on May 4, 2024, when he entered a deli at 48 West 48th Street and attacked a 44-year-old man. Witnesses told investigators that Velarde threw the victim to the ground, stomped on his head, and then stole his backpack before fleeing.
Minutes later, Velarde was captured on surveillance entering the 49th Street subway station. There, he set upon a 22-year-old waiting for a train, punching him repeatedly before throwing him down and continuing the assault. Velarde left the station and escaped on a downtown train, prosecutors said.
The first victim suffered facial fractures, bruising, a broken tooth, and required reconstructive surgery. The second victim sustained a concussion, a fractured jaw that was wired shut, and needed stitches for a facial wound. Both men required hospitalization.
Velarde was arrested on May 25, 2024, after being stopped at the Borough Hall subway station in Brooklyn. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the crimes “vicious unprovoked attacks against two complete strangers” and said the sentence delivered justice for the victims.
The deli floor and subway platform became the scene of one man’s violent rampage—and now his prison cell will be the final stop.
- Man stabbed in brutal gang attack in the Bronx street
Bronx, NY – A 28-year-old man was beaten and stabbed in a late-night street attack after being confronted by four unidentified individuals on East 145th Street near Third Avenue Tuesday night.
The victim was walking eastbound just before 10:45 p.m. when the group approached and began a verbal dispute, according to reports. The confrontation escalated when the assailants punched and kicked him before one attacker stabbed him multiple times in the torso with a sharp object.
The attackers fled north on Third Avenue, leaving the victim injured on the street. Emergency medical crews rushed him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was listed in stable condition.
Investigators released descriptions of the four suspects. The first is a male last seen wearing a black and white baseball cap, black sweatshirt, black shirt, black and white sweatpants, and black and white sneakers. The second is a male in a black sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and black sneakers. The third is a female in a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. The fourth is a female wearing a pink sweatshirt, white t-shirt, pink sweatpants, and white sneakers.
No arrests have been announced and the investigation is ongoing.
The hunt is on for the crew behind the Bronx stabbing.
- Man stabbed on Bronx subway after dispute aboard 4 train
Bronx, NY – A 26-year-old man was stabbed multiple times late Tuesday night during a dispute on a northbound 4 train, police said. The victim was riding near Grand Concourse and East 149th Street around 10:40 p.m. when an unidentified man confronted him in a verbal altercation.
The attacker then pulled out an unknown sharp object and stabbed the victim in the back and shoulder before fleeing the train. He exited the 138th Street station on foot and disappeared to parts unknown.
EMS transported the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was listed in stable condition.
The suspect is described as a male with a medium complexion and slim build. He was last seen wearing a black headwrap, black long-sleeve shirt, black pants, a blue backpack and multicolored sneakers.
The stabbing left late-night riders shaken as police search for the attacker.