On Saturday, July 16th, 2022, at approximately 10:48 PM, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to the area of 43 School Street on a report of a shooting incident with multiple victims. Officers located three victims, two males and one female, critically injured by apparent handgun fire; First Responders rendered medical aid and transported the victims to local area hospitals. The scene was cordoned off and a criminal investigation was initiated. This was the second confirmed shooting event in the City within two hours, with the first occurring at approximately 9:15 PM in the area of Pitkin Park.
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. Investigators worked over the next several days to identify the gunmen in both incidents and develop probable cause to effect arrests. Investigation yielded that the shootings were related to group violence, and that the second incident was allegedly in retaliation for the first. Detectives identified the gunman in the School Street shooting and believe that the perpetrator was targeting the Ross F. Calcagno Homes complex when he opened fire, discharging his handgun at least ten times and striking the victims who were congregating in front of a corner bodega delicatessen. The perpetrator then fled the area, and ultimately the state; he is identified as Jaquan HENDERSON, a 23-year-old resident of South Broadway this City.
On July 28th, in collaboration with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for HENDERSON charging attempted murder and other crimes. With the assistance of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, HENDERSON was tracked to Dekalb County in the State of Georgia. On the morning of August 3rd, law enforcement teams consisting of the FBI’s Atlanta Metro Major Offender Task Force and Safe Streets Task Force apprehended HENDERSON at a residence in the City of Lithonia; he was subsequently extradited to Westchester County with the assistance of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and on August 24th he was booked by Yonkers Police Detectives and lodged in the Yonkers City Jail.
Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Once again, the Yonkers Police Department and the Westchester DA’s Office demonstrated stellar work by apprehending this lawless individual. Let this be a message to all, that gun violence will never be tolerated in Yonkers and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Together, we will continue to work diligently to protect Yonkers families and ensure our streets are safe from those who want to inflict harm in our community.”
Commissioner Chris Sapienza stated, “Gun violence will never be tolerated in our communities – if you commit a gun crime in Yonkers, you will get caught and you will go to jail. This horrible incident, with three victims whose lives are changed forever, also exemplifies the commitment of local law enforcement working together with county, state, and federal partners in keeping our City safe. I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in apprehending this offender and delivering him into the Criminal Justice System, where he must now face the full extent of the law.”
HENDERSON was booked on one count of Attempted Murder 2, a Class B Violent Felony in the New York State Penal Law; Assault 1, 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. HENDERSON is expected to be arraigned today in Yonkers Criminal Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail pending his next court date. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.
All three victims suffered critical internal injuries and are still recovering.
