Another Homicide In Mount Vernon; City Hall Says It May Be A Hate Crime
"Those that seek to attack people to install fear in communities due to race, religion, or sexual orientation are cowards and will face justice," Mayor Thomas
Mount Vernon – There was another homicide in the City of Mount Vernon. Michael Jones, 35, known to friends as Chris, was found Tuesday suffering from serious head injuries on Eastchester Lane. He was taken to a Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital where he later died, city officials said.
While very few details are available sources tell us the altercation took place at approximately 11:00 PM around the corner from where Jones was found. The young man was beaten to death, outside the Mt Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, located at 107 West 4 Street, Police suspect that Jones was involved in an altercation and may have fallen and struck his head on the curb. No weapon(s) were found at or near the scene.
“This loss appears to be a deeply personal conflict that may be a hate crime,” Acting Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Shawn Harris said in a statement issued by the office of Mayor Richard W. Thomas. Neither Commissioner Harris nor Mayor Thomas specified why Jones may have been targeted or replied to our request for further information. “Those that seek to attack people to install fear in communities due to race, religion, or sexual orientation are cowards and will face justice,” Mayor Thomas said in the statement. “Mount Vernon is a city of inclusion and despicable acts of intimidation will not be tolerated.” An hour before the Thursday afternoon press conference at the MVPD, Jones’ cousin Laurie Hemphill told reporters near where Jones was injured. She started she has no idea why authorities are considering it’s hate crime. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story.
