By Dan Murphy
The Yonkers community is united in their calls for the Duo Tapas Lounge on Yonkers Avenue to be closed immediately, after a late-night shooting at the club that resulted in the death of an employee. The release from the Yonkers Police Department reads:
On Sunday, February 6th, 2022, at approximately 2:08 AM, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to 748 Yonkers Avenue at the Duo Tapas Lounge and Bar on a report of a shooting with multiple victims. Upon arrival First Responders located two male victims at scene with apparent gunshot wounds; one victim was unresponsive and given CPR. Both males were transported to local area hospitals where the unresponsive victim died. Police cordoned off the scene and initiated a criminal investigation. Detectives from the Major Case Squad and Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene and interviewed subjects and witnesses, recovered surveillance video, and processed forensic and ballistic evidence. Investigation has yielded that the bar was hosting a party on the second floor that resulted in several fights amongst the patrons. Bar management stopped the party and was ushering the attendees outside, some of whom were intoxicated and disorderly. Investigators allege that one of the attendees went to a parked vehicle and retrieved a handgun, and then proceeded to the front of the bar and fired at least three gunshots into the vestibule of the building, striking two employees: a bouncer and a busser. Both the employees were engaged in moving the party crowd outside.
The bouncer, a 23-year-old resident of the Bronx, New York City, was struck one time in the stomach and was treated and released. The busser, a 22-year-old resident of Montvale, New Jersey, was struck twice, once in the torso and once in the hand, and died from his injuries. The alleged shooter was apprehended at scene by patrol officers. Detectives also recovered an illegally possessed Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol believed to be the murder weapon. The handgun was purchased in North Carolina in 2018 and was not reported stolen. Investigators are continuing to develop information and enhance the investigation.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the precious young life lost,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “Working with our partners on the state level, we will ensure a fatal event like this never happens again and provide true justice for the family by continuing to fight to keep illegal guns off our streets and from the hands of violent criminals.”
Commissioner John J. Mueller stated, “In less than 72-hours our fantastic Yonkers Police investigators have filed murder charges against the alleged perpetrator of this senseless killing; but that is not enough to deliver justice to the victim’s family or other crime victims. We must ensure that those who commit crimes in our communities are held accountable for their actions and send an unequivocal message that criminal behavior will never be tolerated. I would like to thank the great partnership the Yonkers Police Department has with the Westchester DA’s Office. We must have an end-to-end solution in holding people accountable and it doesn’t happen unless police departments and district attorneys’ offices across the country are working hand in hand. In this case, the quick resolution of this case is exactly that.”
The suspect is identified as Yaquba Jaquan MCGOUGAIN, a 29-year-old resident of Peekskill, New York. MCGOUGAIN is charged with one count of Murder 2, a Class A-I Violent Felony in the New York State Penal Law; Attempted Murder 2, a Class B Violent Felony in the New York State Penal Law; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2, a Class C Violent Felony in the New York State Penal Law. MCGOUGAIN was arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail pending his next court appearance on February 17th.
The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. City and Police officials are working with State authorities to suspend business operations at Duo Tapas Lounge and Bar. The busser is identified as Antonio Antoine-Filis. The City of Yonkers and Yonkers Police Department offers its sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Apparently, the club has received numerous complaints from nearby residents. State Senator Shelley Mayer stated after the shooting “I wrote the NYS Liquor Authority demanding they close Duo Tapas Bar & Lounge in Yonkers immediately, and revoke or suspend their license in light of the terrible murder of their employee by gun violence last night. Sadly, I have asked them repeatedly in the past to investigate this bar based on the complaints of neighbors, and not enough was done. Now there is no excuse. Close this place ASAP.”
Councilman John Rubbo said, “The shooting at Duo Bar last night resulted in a loss of life. This is a terrible, targeted attack that should have never happened. The Yonkers Police Department have a suspect in custody.
“We need to be tough on crime. I remain committed to advocating to my Council colleagues and the NYS legislature to ensure that the YPD has all of the resources they need to combat illegal guns coming into our city. We need to get illegal guns off the streets.
“I am asking the Mayor and Police Commissioner to shut this bar down indefinitely. The YPD has kept our city sheltered and safe. We must not let these isolated incidents define who we are as a city and people.”
Councilman Anthony Merante said, “I concur with others. This bar must be shut down! It is a detriment to the neighborhood. However, let’s be clear, that will not permanently solve the growing crime problem that leads to fatal shootings. Yonkers has always been a City of diverse neighborhoods. When neighborhoods start to fail, the signs are there. We must stop the cancer of crime in its tracks before the infection spreads and grows into fatalities and to the destruction of our neighborhoods throughout our City.
“The police play a key role in disrupting this process. If they focus in on disorder and less serious crimes our neighborhoods will not be overtaken by serious crime. We desperately need #BailBondReform now and to fix our failing criminal justice system. We must give our police the support and tools they need to get criminals off our streets and stop this.”
