Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man sentenced to 15 years for back-to-back shootings in Tompkins Square Park, DA says
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 1, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 1, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A man is expected to spend 15 years in prison for committing two back-to-back shootings in Tompkins Square Park last year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Tuesday.
The sentencing of Waldemar Alverio, 38, comes roughly one year after the incidents, which took place just five days apart in the East Village park.
On March 16, 2024, after being chased and attacked by two men, Alverio pulled a firearm from his bag and fired multiple shots as they ran off, according to prosecutors. He struck one of the men in the buttocks, and a bystander — a 53-year-old tourist — who required surgery to replace her fractured hip, officials said.
Five days later, Alverio returned to the park and fired again at a group of people, authorities said. No one was hit, but two bullets smashed through the windows of nearby apartment buildings, according to officials.
He was arrested on March 26 on the Lower East Side after police recognized him from a wanted flyer, officials said.
Alverio pleaded guilty in January to three counts of attempted murder.
“Waldemar Alverio is facing accountability for a pair of shootings in Tompkins Square Park that injured two and threatened the safety of many other bystanders,” Bragg said in a statement. “Parks must be safe havens for Manhattanites to gather and spend time with their friends and family, and nobody should have to worry they will be struck by a bullet in the middle of the day.”
Alverio will also face five years of post-release supervision.
Attorney information for Alverio was not immediately available.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .