New Rochelle heartbroken over fatal shooting of teen; police charge other teen with murder
A working class New Rochelle neighborhood where residents typically feel safe was rocked with violence Tuesday that tragically left one teenager dead and another teenager in handcuffs.
Community leaders and residents gathered a day after the horrific violence to share grief and decry the proliferation of guns. They also stressed the need to provide suitable outlets for the city's youth as an alternative to conflict, which turned deadly this week.
The call for action comes after a 16-year-old allegedly pulled the trigger on a 9mm semi-automatic handgun Tuesday afternoon, fatally striking down another New Rochelle teenager.
New Rochelle police identified the victim as Julian Oliveros, of New Rochelle. He was 16.
Oliveros was found shot on the corner of Fourth Street and Washington Avenue at 3:38 p.m. Tuesday. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The suspect, also a 16-year-old New Rochelle resident, was found near Glen Place and Beechwood Avenue. He was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to police. His name is being withheld because of his age.
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The defendant was arraigned Wednesday in Westchester County Court's youth part and he is due back on Jan. 31, said Jess Vecchiarelli, a spokeswoman for the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.
Police have not commented on the circumstances of the shooting or a possible motive.
The two teenagers were enrolled in the New Rochelle school system, but were not regularly attending classes, Superintendent Jonathan Raymond told The Journal News.
Police officials were continuing their investigation Wednesday. That afternoon, community leaders gathered at the site of the shooting where a makeshift memorial had been set up to mourn.
"The more I think about it, it almost doesn't sound real," City Councilwoman Martha Lopez said, adding, "When I tell you my heart is broken, my heart is broken."
Lopez, who represents District 1, was around the corner when the shooting occurred, visiting small businesses with U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman. She didn't hear the gunshots, but realized the situation after she heard sirens and heard that Columbus Elementary School, which is blocks from the shooting, was on lockdown. The school had just left out students for the day less than 30 minutes before the shooting.
Once she arrived at the scene, at the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street, Lopez said everyone was shaken.
William Iannuzzi, the director of the Mascaro Clubhouse at the Boys and Girls Club, called it a frightening day for many of the young people he works with. One of those teens witnessed the shooting as he was walking to the clubhouse, Iannuzzi said.
"He came in the club and he was quiet, didn't really talk, he was just sitting in my office and then I saw tears streaming down his face and he was saying 'it could've happened to me, it could've happened to me, I was right there,'" said Iannuzzi, who is also on the New Rochelle school board. "And he was inconsolable the rest of the day in my office."
The neighborhood, located on the west side of the city bordering Pelham, has a large Latino and immigrant population. Modest houses and apartments, as well a variety of small businesses, make up the walking community.
Residents that spoke to The Journal News said they usually feel safe in the area. Everardo Corona, owner of Candylandia, said he's never had any problems. He pointed out he doesn't use protective equipment to guard the large windows to his candy store when it's closed overnight.
Kathy Sorrentino, who was doing laundry Wednesday across from where the shooting occurred, said whether it's day or night, she feels safe walking around the neighborhood.
Lopez, who is in her first term, called the area a "very vibrant immigrant community where everyone knows everyone."
But she wants to know how the young man accused of the shooting obtained a gun. It's one of the first things she thought when she heard about the shooting.
Bowman said federal action is needed to curb gun violence. Gun control legislation passed through the House of Representatives, Bowman said, has been stalled in the U.S. Senate. More than 80% of guns used in a crime in New York comes from out of state, Bowman said.
He noted it's also important to provide youth support to avoid devastating incidents.
"Our kids are hurting, man," Bowman said. "So many of our kids are hurting and they need our help."
Other local leaders echoed a similar sentiment and vowed to work toward solutions. Iannuzzi said he plans on getting input from teenagers about what they want the city to offer them.
Raymond, New Rochelle's school chief, said the shooting requires the district and city to "double down" on their efforts to connect with kids.
"It's about finding ways to build more partnerships, more connections with our community, make sure we have a safety net that our young people can't fall through," Raymond said. "We can't do that by ourselves, it takes everybody."
David Propper covers Westchester County. Reach him at dpropper@lohud.com and follow him on Twitter: dg_props. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle shooting of teenager leaves neighborhood heartbroken
