Gunman Charged with Attempted Murder After Stray Bullet Injures Harlem Grandmother

A gunfight in Harlem on Tuesday night has resulted in the tragic death of 61-year-old community leader Excenia Mette and the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Darious Smith. Authorities announced on Thursday that Smith has been charged with attempted murder and multiple counts of gun possession in connection with the incident that occurred outside Tamara’s Beauty Bar, which is located on Lenox Avenue near West 113th Street.

Initial reports indicate that Smith was engaged in an altercation on an electric scooter when he produced a firearm and fired shots at another individual, fortunately missing his target. However, during the exchange, a second gunman, who has yet to be apprehended, returned fire, resulting in a stray bullet fatally striking Mette as she was exiting her building to check on her grandson.

Surveillance footage shows Smith arriving on the corner shortly before the shooting occurred. The footage captures him arguing with another man before displaying a firearm and attempting to shoot, with nothing hitting its intended mark. In the chaotic moments that followed, Smith tried to flee on his scooter but was confronted by a bystander who attempted to intervene. After a brief struggle, Smith managed to break free and rode away just as the other gunman retaliated, injuring both Smith and Mette.

Mette, a respected member of the National Action Network and former owner of the first woman- and Black-owned bodega in New York City, was caught in the crossfire while caring for her family. She was quickly transported to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) recovered six shell casings and several bullet fragments at the scene, indicating a violent exchange between the two individuals. Smith, with a history of prior arrests totaling 14, was already facing charges of robbery and assault from an incident last year when he allegedly stabbed two individuals during an e-bike battery theft.

Following the shooting, law enforcement pursued Smith and apprehended him a block from the incident, seizing his weapon in the process. Smith’s arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was scheduled for Thursday.

In a related commentary, Mayor Eric Adams addressed concerns regarding gun violence in the city. Despite the alarming incident, he stressed that shootings have declined overall this year, reaffirming the city’s commitment to tackling violence and ensuring public safety.

The tragic loss of Excenia Mette serves as a stark reminder of the reality of gun violence affecting communities and raises questions about safety amidst ongoing efforts to curb such incidents in New York City.