Jonathan Planas, a 34-year-old resident of Yonkers, has been sentenced to 22 years in state prison for the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Alvaro Vigueras Medina on Lawrence Street in Yonkers in 2020. The sentencing comes after Planas eluded authorities for a year before being apprehended.
The incident occurred on October 10, 2020, when Planas exited a Mercedes Benz and fired multiple shots at Medina, striking him once in the torso. Medina sought refuge in the lobby of a nearby building. However, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries after being transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Notably, there was no prior association between the victim and the defendant.
Following the shooting, Planas fled the scene but left behind crucial evidence, including shell casings and his cell phone. Utilizing surveillance footage, witness interviews, and ballistic evidence, the Yonkers Police Department, together with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, located and arrested Planas on October 4, 2021, at a residence in Yonkers.
Plea and sentencing
Jonathan Planas, who had a prior felony conviction, plead guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree on December 18, 2023. In addition to his prison sentence, he will also face five years of post-release supervision.
During the sentencing hearing, Medina’s mother shared a sorrowful statement. She remembered her son as a beloved individual whose life was tragically cut short. She also expressed the profound pain and loss experienced by their family, stating, “Alvaro was a wonderful son […] They left our hearts broken; our whole family was torn apart.”
Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah praised law enforcement for their dedication in bringing Planas to justice.
This defendant callously opened fire in a populated area taking the life of an innocent man and then eluded police for a year. I thank our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to find and remove this dangerous individual from our streets.
