On a cold December evening in 2020, a young man's life was abruptly cut short on a Staten Island street. Joseph Evans, a 22-year-old who was known for his love of basketball and music, was shot and killed on December 19th near the intersection of Cebra Avenue and Victory Boulevard in the Tompkinsville neighborhood. He was reportedly on his way to a nearby deli to get a sandwich at approximately 4:50 p.m. when the fatal encounter occurred.
An assailant approached him on foot and opened fire without warning, striking him multiple times in the head, back, and arm. Emergency services rushed him to Richmond University Medical Center, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead later that evening.
The sudden and violent nature of Joseph's death sent shockwaves through the local community. A graduate of Curtis High School, he was remembered as an outgoing and exciting young man who was looking forward to furthering his education at Herkimer State University College. His family and friends were left to grapple with the senseless loss of a loved one who would have turned 23 the following month. The incident also heightened concerns among local residents and business owners about the rise of gun violence in the area.
Several months after the shooting, an arrest was made in connection with Joseph Evans's death. On May 10, 2021, authorities took 29-year-old Brandon Rivera into custody. Investigators alleged that the shooting was the result of a dispute between Rivera and Evans. Rivera was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal weapon possession. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held without bail.
