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Arrests made in 2 separate Bronx teen shooting deaths, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 22, 2026
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 22, 2026
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Police have arrested and charged two suspects in connection with separate fatal shootings of New York City teenagers in August, according to NYPD officials.
Officers took a 16-year-old boy into custody on Monday afternoon in connection with the August 10, death of 16-year-old John Nunez, charging him with murder, manslaughter and criminal weapons possession. In an earlier press briefing about the investigation, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had said that Nunez was accidentally shot by a friend who was handling a gun he didn’t realize was loaded.
“They're playing with a firearm. Our [victim] is asked, ‘Is there one in the head?’ Meaning, is there one in the chamber? The [victim] says no,” Kenny had said. “The perpetrator here…points the gun at the [victim], pulls the trigger. There was one in the chamber, and he accidentally shoots him in the head.”
At the time, Kenny said police were looking for the teenage suspect, who had possibly fled the state. NYPD officials said he was arrested Monday in front of the Bronx precinct stationhouse that covers the neighborhood where the incident took place.
His attorney was not immediately reachable for comment, and police did not make his name public because he is a minor.
Also on Monday, police arrested 48-year-old Billy Perez and charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal weapons possession for the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Werling Mendez on August 23.
Officials earlier said that the shooting that killed Mendez happened after a series of armed robberies during a large car meetup in Eastchester. A 22-year-old man was also shot in the chest and a 20-year-old woman was shot in the foot, but both were taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to police.
Perez’ attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
bronx
nypd
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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