Overview
- A Bronx man, 26-year-old Darrel Rodriguez, was shot once in the chest on Oct. 17 on the northbound E platform at Seventh Avenue–53rd Street and later died at Bellevue Hospital.
- On Oct. 22 a 17-year-old male surrendered to police, was arrested at the Midtown North Precinct, and was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; he is being held in juvenile custody.
- The Manhattan district attorney’s criminal complaint cites subway surveillance video showing the altercation and a gun pointed at Rodriguez, and detectives reported finding a 9mm shell casing inside the train car.
- Investigators say the confrontation began after a dispute over someone smoking on the train, the suspect fled north on Seventh Avenue after the shooting, and the teen’s attorney says he denies involvement.
- NYPD transit data show subway murders and shootings are up year over year, the state has mandated cameras on all cars, and the arrest is likely to intensify debates and potential policy moves on face coverings, weapons bans, and other safety measures.