Bronx Navy veteran murder suspect attempted to flee the country, according to district attorney.
A 20-year-old man has been apprehended in connection with the murder of a U.S. Navy veteran during a road rage incident in the Bronx. Michael Aracena was taken into custody by New York Police Department officers as he was attempting to board a flight to the Dominican Republic, prosecutors revealed during his arraignment on Tuesday at Bronx Criminal Court.
Authorities allege that Aracena was involved in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Keino Campbell following a minor collision near Co-op City at approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday. In the course of the altercation, an accomplice is said to have handed Aracena the firearm used in the attack while Campbell was seated in his 2012 gray Infiniti. Reports indicate that Campbell suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and subsequently drove to the intersection of Givan and Palmer Avenues in Baychester, where he lost consciousness. Emergency medical personnel transported him to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Prosecutors disclosed that after the incident, Aracena fled to Pennsylvania, abandoned the vehicle linked to the shooting, and proceeded to purchase a plane ticket intended for international travel. Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of multiple passports, underscoring the lengths to which he reportedly went to evade law enforcement.
During the arraignment, Aracena, clad in a brown hoodie and sporting braided hair, remained silent as Judge Scott Krompinger ordered him to be held without bail. He faces multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, and illegal possession of a weapon. If convicted, Aracena could confront a lengthy prison sentence of 25 years to life.
The accomplice who allegedly supplied the weapon remains at large, and authorities are actively seeking assistance in locating this individual. The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly from Campbell’s family, who are mourning the loss of a young man with aspirations of pursuing a career in security or electrical engineering following his military service from 2019 to 2022.
Campbell’s relatives described him as a dedicated and forward-thinking individual whose dreams were tragically cut short. His mother, Suzette Thomas, expressed deep sorrow over losing her son, reflecting on his dreams of a promising future and his commitment to supporting his family.
As the investigation continues, community members and family alike are calling for justice in what has been described as an alarming case of road rage that resulted in a senseless loss of life. Michael Aracena is scheduled to return to court on Friday as the legal proceedings unfold.
