Incarcerated gang member charged in 2022 Bronx burning car deaths: sources

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — An incarcerated gang member was charged in the shooting death of two people found dead in a burning car two years ago in the Bronx, according to the NYPD and law enforcement sources.

Terrence White, 26, was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping, arson, and weapons charges on Monday, police said. White is serving time in state prison for attempted murder, sources said. The details of that case were not immediately available.

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White is allegedly one of the four “Down the Hill” gang members charged in the deaths of Jesse Parrilla and Nikki Huang, both, 22, who were shot to death before they were found in Parrilla’s torched Honda parked on Shore Road near the Pelham Split Rock Course around 4:30 a.m. on May 16, 2022.

White was allegedly captured on grainy surveillance leaving the murder scene and provided one of the cars used in the gang attack, according to sources. Four cars were burned that morning, including the silver Honda, to throw police off, sources said.  A Fiat torched near the Major Deegan Expressway and a white Nissan and tan Mercedes SUV were also used and burned by the gang, sources said.

Huang’s designer bag and phone were stolen after she finished work at her family’s restaurant, sources previously told PIX11 News. Huang’s mother, Amy Chan, said her daughter was locked out of the family’s apartment that day.

Sources said Huang complained to a friend, who was affiliated with the “Up the Hill” gang, about the theft. Several hours later, alleged “Down the Hill” gang member Brandon Atkinson was shot and killed outside of a deli, according to sources.

Atkinson’s half-brother, Steven Santiago, is believed to be a major player in the kidnappings and deaths, sources said.

Santiago is still being sought by police, according to authorities. He was indicted “in absentia” for murder, according to sources. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Last week, Rahul Cuya was arrested as an accessory to the kidnapping and slaying of the two friends, police said.

Cuya allegedly facilitated a round-up of cars at the Baruch Houses after the kidnappings of Parrilla and Huang, sources said. He wasn’t at the scene of the burning car but is still being considered in the crime, according to sources.

A total of five people have been indicted in connection to the incident, sources said.

This story comprises reporting from Mary Murphy.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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