A visit to his old neighborhood in the Bronx turned fatal for Erik Hernandez, a 37-year-old male from White Plains, on the evening of April 4, 2021. Around 9:05 PM, Hernandez was with a 31-year-old male friend in front of the Chicken Deli Grocery at 2105 Monterey Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx when they were ambushed. A group of four armed men opened fire on them, creating a chaotic and violent scene that was captured on surveillance footage.
Hernandez was struck in the chest by a gunshot, and his companion was shot in the head.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and both men were rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Erik Hernandez was pronounced dead from his injuries. His 31-year-old friend was left in critical condition following the shooting. Hernandez’s father, Edward Hernandez, later expressed his sorrow and noted his concern about his son returning to a neighborhood he felt was dangerous. Friends and family remembered Hernandez as a good person who was actively working to improve his life.
The New York Police Department launched an investigation into the deadly shooting. Their efforts led to a significant development in the case on August 13, 2021, with the arrest of 29-year-old Bruce McCoy, a resident of the Bronx. Investigators believe that a dispute between McCoy and three other men with Hernandez and his friend escalated to the fatal shooting. McCoy was subsequently charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a firearm. While McCoy's arrest marked a crucial step in the investigation, authorities continued to seek additional suspects and information related to the incident.
