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Bronx DA seeks more evidence before pursuing gun charge in NYPD shooting case
By
Charles Lane
Published Jun 24, 2026
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By
Charles Lane
Published Jun 24, 2026
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Bronx prosecutors declined to immediately pursue a gun-possession charge against a man arrested after a police shooting in Fordham Heights, sending the case back to the NYPD for further investigation.
Angel Robles, 20, of Summit Avenue in the Bronx, had been charged with criminal possession of a weapon after the NYPD said police recovered a loaded Glock 22 with an extended magazine from a stolen Kia Sportage involved in a confrontation with police on Sunday.
But the office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark declined to move forward with the charge on Tuesday pending further investigation into Robles' connection to the vehicle and the events surrounding the shooting.
Authorities subsequently released Robles from custody. Information for an attorney representing him was not immediately available.
The confrontation began around 6 p.m. Sunday in Fordham Heights, when a license plate reader alerted police to a silver Kia Sportage that had been reported stolen from the Bronx a day earlier, according to the NYPD. A police helicopter tracked the vehicle as it crossed the University Heights Bridge and officers with the Community Response Team followed it on the ground as it traveled east on Fordham Road toward Cedar Avenue.
When the Kia stopped, six unmarked police vehicles boxed it in, police said. The driver reversed into one of the unmarked vehicles, then accelerated forward and struck an NYPD sergeant, according to authorities. Police said another officer jumped onto a parked car to avoid being hit and fired into the Kia, striking the driver in the arm.
The deferral leaves the case against the alleged driver of the Kia, 18-year-old Jayden Mendoza, as the only one currently moving forward. Mendoza was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and related offenses after police said he drove the Kia into the sergeant.
Mendoza remains hospitalized at St. Barnabas Hospital, where he is being treated for a gunshot wound to the arm. Prosecutors said Wednesday he was expected to undergo surgery and was not likely to be arraigned before Friday.
The sergeant and several other officers were treated at local hospitals for injuries that police described as minor. All were listed as stable, according to authorities.
The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is continuing to review the shooting.
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public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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