Morrisania News: Man Gunned Down on His Birthday

Morrisania News: Man Gunned Down on His Birthday: Came Back to Bx to Celebrate Will Leave in a Coffin (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 21- A y...

Man Gunned Down on His Birthday

Came Back to Bx to Celebrate Will Leave in a Coffin

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 21- A young man returning to his old neighborhood of Morrisania to celebrate his 29th birthday with family and friends, was gunned-down outside of the John Adams Houses.

Police sources say two men in their 20's were outside of 680 Tinton Avenue, when they were approached by two assailants and gunfire erupted at  6:08 p.m. on October 18.

One detective stated, "Two male Blacks walked up (on the two victims) and started shooting and left the location." The two men were shot at the entrance to the building.

A second source stated the two suspects calmly walked north on Tinton towards Westchester Avenue and the Jackson Avenue subway station.

One victim in his 20's was shot in the chest and died on the way to Lincoln Hospital. The second victim, also in his 20's was shot in the leg and was recovering at the same hospital.

Police would later identify the victim as Tyrek Singleton, 28, of the Bronx.

However, family and friends of Singleton stated that the young man had moved to Pottstown, PA.

A longtime friend clarified, stating, "He had gotten out of the neighborhood and was living in Pennsylvania, but he came back to celebrate his birthday. He's going to be 29..."

The distraught friend who declined to give his name, and only referred to Singleton by his street name, "S.P.," thought for a second before correcting himself, adding, "He was going to be 29 tomorrow, I can't believe this."

Friends say Singleton was a construction worker who loved to play basketball.

Officers from the 40th Precinct closed-off the main entrance to the building and the complex's courtyard and adjoining park as investigators combed the area for shell-casings and other evidence.

Police were looking for the two suspects, both described as male Blacks in their 20's. One suspect, a skinny male, wearing a white hooded jacket and blue jeans. The second assailant was wearing a gray hooded jacket and dark jeans.

Investigators say both men are still being sought and are both believed to be between 5 foot 8 and 5 foot 9.

Answering the door to the family home on E. 152 Street, Singleton's niece Lavasia Burnett, 18, stated while choking back tears, "There's no reason why he's here celebrating his birthday and we have to identify his body."

Hours after the killing a patrol car was still stationed outside the building, when a man from the church across the street asked the officer if he could move his car, as a wedding party was about to exit the church.

When the officer replied that he could not, church officials moved a bus in front of the church, blocking the view of the police car.

The police presence would remain for the immediate future as police sources say that officers from the 40th Precinct and Public Service Area 7, which covers New York City Housing Authority property, were said to be on a heightened alert for retaliatory violence.

The New York City Housing Authority has reportedly been sitting on more than $40 million in taxpayer money for the instillation of surveillance cameras at complex's such as the John Adams Houses.

The immediate area surrounding the John Adams Houses has been a longtime magnet for mayhem.

Back on July 5, Jamal Davis, 33, was fatally shot on the basketball courts at 975 Tinton Avenue.

On July 20, a second unidentified man was shot in the chest and back along Tinton Avenue, but survived. Police continue to hunt for the killers of both Davis and now Singleton.   

Morrisania News: Brazen Thief Robs Store Across from Police Station...

Morrisania News: Brazen Thief Robs Store Across from Police Station...: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, April 30- He must have had the luck of the Irish, when a thief robbed the Deals discount store located at ...

Brazen Thief Robs Store Across from Police Station

By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, April 30- He must have had the luck of the Irish, when a thief robbed the Deals discount store located at 837 Washington Avenue--directly across the street from the 42nd Precinct.

Police officials have yet to acknowledge the incident that took place late Saturday, April 27, at the Duane Reade-type store.

One manager of the store confirmed an, "incident," took place, but refused to elaborate if it was a hold-up or a break-in. An employee would later refer inquiries to their corporate office, but did not have the number.

A resident of the building, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, stated, "I know that one of the detectives from the precinct, directly across from the building, asked me if I saw something. That's how I know that something happened downstairs."

A second resident stated, "You pay so much to live across from the police... you think your safe from that kind of stuff."

The 42nd Precinct, which covers the Morrisanna section, is currently experiencing an overall 14.97 percent decrease in crime. The latest statistics show the command has had two homicides in the first
four-months of the 2013, tied with the same time period last year.

However, the precinct also reported 72 robberies, down from a reported 95 last year, while burglaries are down from 45 to 32.

Morrisania News: Child Caused Blaze that Injured 50-Officials Say

Morrisania News: Child Caused Blaze that Injured 50-Officials Say: (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, April 15- Nearly 50 residents and first responders were injured w...

Child Caused Blaze that Injured 50-Officials Say

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 15- Nearly 50 residents and first responders were injured when a fire sent billowing black smoke into the hallways and apartments of a high-rise apartment building in Melrose. 

The fire broke out inside a 5th-floor apartment at 225 E. 149 Street, at 7:45 a.m., on April 13. Nearly 150 firefighters battled the 3-alarm blaze for two hours as firefighters and paramedics carried many of the victims down the stairs of the 27-story building operated by Pinnacle Realty. 

When firefighters arrived, a father had dangled a baby out of the window of a 25th-floor apartment. Several injured remain in critical condition, but all are expected to survive. 

FDNY fire marshals have determined that a child playing with a lighter was the source of the blaze.   

Morrisania-City Council-Race

Race to Replace Foster in Council Begins

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 1-We told you weeks ago that 77th A.D. Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson was going to be running for the soon to be vacant 16th City Council seat currently held by Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster.

On Thursday February 21st Assemblywoman Gibson surrounded by her mentor Current Bronx Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene (and former 77th A.D. Assemblywoman), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressman Jose Serrano, State Senators Rivera and Serrano, Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster, and several of her fellow assembly members made it official that she was running for the City Council 16th Council District seat. The 77th A.D. Male District Leader Benny Catala (we are told) will be running in the special election that will fill the vacant 77th A.D. seat after Assemblywoman Gibson is elected to the City Council.

Senator Jeff Klein held his 18th Annual Black History Month Breakfast this past Saturday, and you can see how things have changed in a few short years. I remember attending a past breakfast where Former Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson was the keynote speaker. That was of course the last time the Democrats held the majority in the state senate. Pardon me, Democrats outnumber Republicans again this year, but it is Senator Klein, not Senator Sampson, who is in charge of the entire senate body. This year former City Comptroller Bill Thompson was the keynote speaker, where as it was Jeff Klein who backed Thompson in his race for Comptroller even though Thompson's opponent was heavily favored to win the Bronx, which he did.

Over 300 people were in attendance, the honorees were Mount Vernon City Council member Richard Thomas, President of the Pelham Parkway Houses Ms. Herma Williams, President of the Throggs Neck Houses Ms. Monique Johnson, and Community Board 8 member Lamont Parker. You can go to my blog at www. 100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see photos of the event.

Friday night February 22nd was the 2nd annual African-American Abrazo by Team Diaz to celebrate Black History Month. Team Diaz consists of State Senator Reverend Rubin Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda of the Castle Hill, Concourse Village, Parkchester, Soundview, and West Farms areas. The honorees were Police Officer Cleneth A. Davis, Ms. Linda Jordan, Deacon Emeritus Douglas B. Williams, Ms. Viola L. Doswell, and Master Michael Dean. On hand with Team Diaz were Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, City Comptroller John Liu, and Councilwoman Letitia James (candidate for Public Advocate). There were also two of Senator Diaz's choices for public office Rev. Eric Salgado for Mayor, and Rev. Joel Bauza for the term limited 15th City Council seat.