Mayor Mike Spano and Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza announced at a press conference today that multiple arrests have been made in relation to a string of recent shootings in Yonkers. The gang-related violence is connected to the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Daquon Powell on May 31st.
Powell, who died on the scene from his injuries, was found by responding officers on Morris Street shortly after the shooting. He was found with an unidentified male victim who sustained serious injuries. As a result of their investigation, Yonkers Police Department detectives learned that Powell was the target of a planned assassination.
Detectives later discovered that the suspected shooter and his accomplices were also part of a gang-related shooting on Livingston Avenue, where an adult male was critically injured. A third, similar shooting attributed to gang violence took place on Riverdale Avenue on June 4th, though no victims were reported in that incident.
A coordinated effort with regional law enforcement resulted in the arrest of four individuals:
- Matthew Quinones, a 20-year-old resident of Danbury, Connecticut, was charged with murder.
- Adolescent Offender 1, a 17-year-old resident of Yonkers, faces charges related to the Livingston Avenue shooting.
- Adolescent Offender 2, a 16-year-old resident of Yonkers, was also involved in the Livingston Avenue shooting.
- Adolescent Offender 3, a 16-year-old resident of Yonkers, faces charges related to the Livingston Avenue shooting and a separate incident on Elliott Avenue.
Investigations Continue
At the press conference, Commissioner Sapienza offered details surrounding Powell’s murder and the ongoing investigation into that case and related incidents.
“The investigation yielded that Powell was driving the black sedan with the second male victim, an 18-year-old resident of Yonkers, sitting in the front passenger seat. As the front passenger exited the vehicle, an armed assailant ran up to the driver’s window and fired six gunshots through the window, striking Powell six times and the passenger one time.”
Investigators quickly identified several persons of interest. Mayor Spano commended the detective work of the local police.
“I applaud the Yonkers Police Department on this investigation, and I hope these juvenile offenders are swiftly brought to justice to avoid any repetitive crimes in our city.”
With an eye to public safety, Mayor Spano has increased mobile and foot patrols in the areas impacted by the shootings and offered words of reassurance to members of the community.
“Residents and community members should expect to see a strengthened presence of both uniform and plain-clothes officers engaged in public safety activities,” he stated.
Commissioner Sapienza also emphasized the importance of public safety.
“Public space gun violence is an outrageous threat to the safety of our residents and community members,” he stated. “Now it is up to the courts to make sure that these individuals, regardless of age, are held fully accountable to the maximum extent of the law.”
Arraignment and Prosecution
Matthew Quinones was arraigned on June 7th and is currently in custody at the Westchester County Jail. The adolescent offenders have been arraigned and are being held in a local juvenile detention facility.
The cases will be prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department extended their condolences to Daquon Powell’s family.
