URGENT UPDATE: A woman has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man outside his apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday night. Denise Aponte, 59, is accused of gunning down Randy Blanche at approximately 8 p.m. outside of 160 West 174th St. in the Morris Heights neighborhood.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire. Upon arrival, officers from the 46th Precinct found Blanche lying on his back, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was quickly transported to Bronx Care Hospital but was tragically pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Aponte was taken into custody at the crime scene, and law enforcement officials have yet to disclose a motive for the shooting. The following day, she was formally charged with murder, manslaughter, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Her arraignment is set for Tuesday.
Despite the tragic incident, the 46th Precinct reported a significant decrease in violent crime this year, with just seven homicides recorded through November 16, down from 25 at the same time last year. Additionally, shooting incidents have seen a sharp decline of 55.3%, with only 21 incidents reported compared to 47 the previous year.
This developing story raises urgent questions about safety in the Bronx and the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Authorities continue to investigate, and community members are left reeling from the violence. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
