Saturday, April 6, 2024

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING TEEN BASKETBALL STAR

 

Defendant Was Convicted of First-Degree Manslaughter After Jury Trial

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years post release supervision for killing Brandon Hendricks, a 17-year-old high school basketball player and academic standout. He was shot by a stray bullet. 

Bronx District Attorney Clark said, “Brandon was killed just days after his high school graduation. His dream to play college basketball was ripped away when he was shot with a stray bullet. I want to thank Brandon’s mother, who through this tragedy, has turned her pain into purpose. She has been a vocal advocate against gun violence and has been working with our office to bring meaningful change to the community.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Najhim Luke, 26, of 1979 Walton Avenue was sentenced today to 25 years in prison and five years post release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Hornstein. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for first-degree Manslaughter and 15 years in prison for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon which will run concurrently. Luke was found guilty of those charges on January 29, 2024, after a jury trial. 

According to the investigation, on the night of June 28, 2020, at 1726 Davidson Avenue, in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, the defendant opened fire at people who had gathered for a barbecue. One of the stray gunshots struck Hendricks, a recent graduate of James Monroe High School, in the back. He was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour later. Luke fled the scene and was arrested on July 6, 2020.

District Attorney Clark also thanked Detective Francis Orlando of the Bronx Homicide Squad and Detective Adam Acosta of the 46th precinct. 

No comments:

Post a Comment