Yonkers, NY- The Yonkers Police Department has charged a 15-year-old male in connection with the fatal shooting that claimed the life of one person and wounded four others on the evening of Sunday, August 2, 2026, near Palisade Avenue and Elm Street.
At approximately 8:43 p.m. on that date, an on-duty Yonkers Police Captain heard multiple gunshots, immediately responded toward the scene, and observed the suspect fleeing on foot. He tracked the suspect while coordinating the response of additional officers.
Responding officers arrived within moments, locating five victims suffering from gunshot wounds while additional officers converged on the area of the fleeing suspect. Officers immediately rendered all available medical aid to the victims while simultaneously establishing a perimeter and coordinating the suspect’s apprehension.
Five individuals were struck by gunfire during the incident.
A 20-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound to the back. He was rendered aid on scene and transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Brandon Garcia of Yonkers.
The remaining four victims sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds. They include:
- A 16-year-old male who suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder
- A 15-year-old male who suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh
- A 15-year-old male who suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach
- A 14-year-old female who suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg
All surviving victims were rendered aid at the scene before being transported to area hospitals in critical but stable condition. All are expected to recover from their injuries. There will be no further information released on these victims.
Within minutes of the shooting, officers safely took the 15-year-old suspect into custody approximately one block from the scene.
Detectives from the Yonkers Police Department Detective Division Major Case Squad assumed the investigation, assisted by members of the Crime Scene Unit, Digital Forensics Unit, Gang Unit, and other specialized personnel. During the apprehension and subsequent investigation, Detectives recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting, ballistic evidence, surveillance camera video, and other items of evidentiary value.
The investigation determined the shooting was a targeted act of group violence and not a random attack. Investigators found that the suspect approached the intersection of Elm Street and Palisade Avenue on foot, fired eight rounds from a handgun across the intersection toward a group of individuals gathered on the corner, and then fled eastbound on Elm Street. Guided by the Patrol Captain’s observations and the coordinated response of responding officers, the suspect was apprehended approximately one block away on St. Casimir Avenue. The recovered firearm was a 9mm Taurus Semi-Automatic handgun that was reported stolen out of Georgia. The suspect’s immediate apprehension eliminated any ongoing threat to the public.
The suspect is being identified as a 15-year-old Yonkers resident and has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. New York law prohibits the release of identifying information regarding juvenile offenders; therefore, no further identifying information about the suspect will be released at this time.
The suspect was arraigned in the Youth Part of Westchester County Court during the afternoon of August 3, 2026, and was remanded into custody. He remains in custody pending his next court appearance later this week.
“Five seconds. Five victims. One young life lost,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “We stand with every family affected by senseless acts of violence, but let me be clear: we are taking our streets back, and while New York State has taken the handcuffs off violent young offenders and put them on our judges and police officers, Yonkers will not tolerate this kind of violence.”
Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza stated, “This was a deliberate act of violence that claimed a young man’s life and forever changed the lives of multiple families. I commend the decisive actions of our officers and detectives, whose swift response and thorough investigation led to the suspect’s apprehension within minutes and the successful resolution of this case. While this tragedy has deeply impacted our community, it does not define it. Yonkers remains one of the safest large cities in New York, and we will continue our relentless efforts to prevent violence, protect our neighborhoods, and hold those who commit violent crimes fully accountable.”
The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased as they mourn this tragic loss.
