Bronx man, 38, killed in NYCHA stairwell, marking New York City’s first murder in 12 days.

A 38-year-old man was fatally shot in the stairwell of a public housing building in the Bronx, marking a tragic end to a near two-week period without recorded homicides in New York City, according to police reports. The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m. on Sunday within the Sotomayor Houses, located on Watson Avenue near Rosedale Avenue in the Soundview neighborhood. Authorities identified the victim as Gregory Stewart, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency medical personnel transported Stewart to Jacobi Medical Center; however, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The New York Police Department has taken a man into custody in connection with the shooting, although formal charges have yet to be filed.

Gregory Stewart was a resident of the Wakefield section of the Bronx, and his death has raised concerns in the community, particularly as it breaks a 12-day streak without homicides in the city. This absence of violence had been particularly notable, marking the longest such interval since 2015, which also recorded a 12-day period without any murders. Prior to this incident, the last homicide in New York City occurred on November 24, when an 80-year-old man, Lev Vayner, was found stabbed to death in his apartment on Overlook Terrace near West 184th Street in Washington Heights.

In the earlier case, a suspect identified as 45-year-old Alon Riabichev allegedly confessed to the police that he had killed Vayner after contacting authorities at around 3:15 a.m. Riabichev, who was permitted to stay at Vayner’s residence, has since been charged with murder.

This recent violence underscores ongoing challenges related to crime in urban settings, prompting city officials and the NYPD to continue their efforts toward enhancing public safety measures. The incident and surrounding circumstances are likely to provoke renewed discussions regarding community safety initiatives and the resources allocated to address violence within New York City. As the investigation continues, the police are working diligently to gather further details and determine the motive behind Stewart’s tragic death. Media News Source.