Teen’s minivan hit by suspects fleeing Bronx mass shooting; driver now faces charges.
A teenager, Josue Lopez-Vasquez, 18, has found himself entangled in serious legal trouble after his minivan was struck by a group of alleged assailants fleeing the scene of a mass shooting in the Bronx. The shooting incident left one individual dead and four others injured, as the suspects reportedly escaped in a stolen Honda. Following the collision, Lopez-Vasquez was arrested and now faces several criminal charges, including firearm possession. His father, Adalberto Santiago, contends that his son is a victim of misfortune rather than a participant in the crime.
Lopez-Vasquez was apprehended at St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was taken for medical attention after the incident. Authorities discovered a magazine containing .45-caliber hollow-point rounds on the dashboard of his Dodge Caravan, as well as a semi-automatic pistol underneath the vehicle—items believed to belong to the alleged shooters. Police reports indicate that Lopez-Vasquez was driving his cousin home when the vehicle was struck at the intersection of Arnow and Hone Avenues, just moments after the suspects had opened fire on a crowd gathered outside a smoke shop approximately half a mile away.
The aftermath of the shooting was tragic, with 25-year-old Jamari Henry among the wounded, later succumbing to his injuries at Jacobi Medical Center. Officers quickly apprehended four suspects—Heron Martin, 21; Shamir Murray, 19; Kai Oulai, 19; and Jose Gomez, 18—who face charges related to Henry’s murder. A 16-year-old accomplice was also taken into custody.
Although Lopez-Vasquez is not directly implicated in the shooting, he faces potential imprisonment of up to 15 years if convicted on charges pertaining to weapon possession. After his arraignment, he was placed on supervised release, as he has no prior arrests to date. Santiago insists on his son’s innocence, arguing that the gun and ammunition alleged to be in his son’s possession were the result of the shooting incident, suggesting they could have been ejected from the suspect’s vehicle during the tumultuous crash.
Describing his son’s character, Santiago noted that Lopez-Vasquez had recently graduated from Bronx Design and Construction Academy and was excited to pursue a plumbing career. A neighbor confirmed Lopez-Vasquez’s reputation as a caring individual, often responsible for taking care of his younger sisters.
The situation has escalated into a defense campaign, with Santiago working to raise funds for his son’s legal representation, emphasizing the profound impact this event has had on their family. As law enforcement continues to piece together the events surrounding the chaotic shooting and subsequent crash, the complexities of the case serve as a stark reminder of the ramifications that gun violence can have on innocent lives caught in its path.
