In the Bronx, a 32-year-old man named Ariel Santos tragically lost his life on the evening of May 25, 2021. At approximately 6:00 PM, while sitting in his black Mercedes-Benz at the intersection of East 178th Street and Arthur Avenue, he was targeted in a fatal shooting. Multiple gunshots struck him in the torso, and despite being rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident was not a random act of violence but a calculated attack.
The investigation into the death of Ariel Santos, who was described as an innocent bystander near his home, led to the arrests of four individuals. On June 9, 2021, authorities took 18-year-olds Antione Scriber and Justin Polanco into custody. A criminal complaint alleged that Polanco provided the firearm to Scriber with instructions to shoot Santos. Following this, Scriber reportedly leaned out of a car window and opened fire. Santos managed to get out of his vehicle before collapsing.
Subsequently, two more suspects, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, were also arrested in connection with the murder. All four individuals faced charges of murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. The investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly members of a gang known as the '5zzly Crew.'
Further legal action in September 2023 resulted in a 110-count indictment against 12 alleged members of the '5zzly' crew, who were between the ages of 16 and 22. The indictment encompassed a range of violent crimes committed between February 2021 and June 2023, including multiple shootings, carjackings, and robberies. The murder of Ariel Santos was a central part of this indictment, which accused Polanco, Scriber, and two other alleged gang members of firing multiple shots from a car at a rival gang member, striking Santos in the process. This broader indictment highlighted a pattern of violence that terrorized the Bronx community.
