In a report on Monday, authorities confirmed the arrest of Anibal Cruz, a 36-year-old man accused of shooting a 15-year-old boy at Riverbank State Park in Hamilton Heights, Manhattan. Cruz is facing charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the fatal shooting of Wesley Vasquez, which occurred this past Saturday.
Following the incident, law enforcement could apprehend Cruz based on detailed descriptions provided by multiple eyewitnesses at the park.
Investigators alleged that Cruz was taken into custody in the act of disposing of the firearm used in the shooting.
Vasquez was critically injured by numerous gunshots, resulting in his swift transfer to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, New York State Police confirmed.
“The New York State Police is leading the investigation into this case. Our role is to support them in establishing sufficient evidence against Mr. Cruz,” commented NYPD Deputy Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
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The horrifying incident at Riverbank State Park was one of nine shootings across New York City since Friday afternoon. According to officials, some of these incidents have left children in critical condition.
The New York Post reported a shocking incident on Sunday night in The Bronx, where four individuals, including a 12-year-old girl, were wounded in a shooting.
In another distressing episode in The Bronx, a 5-year-old girl was severely injured when she was hit in the back by a bullet while seated in a family vehicle.
The NYPD Chief expressed concern over what appears to be growing lawlessness in certain parts of the city. “What we’ve been seeing, unfortunately, in some areas of the city is lawlessness before shooting. Large groups of individuals on the streets. One of them a memorial, one of them an illegal social club and the rest were watch groups on the streets.”