In the early hours of a Saturday in August 2020, the life of Paris Emanuel Hayes Sr., a 30-year-old Black male, was tragically cut short in Harlem, Manhattan. Just before 1 a.m. on August 15th, Hayes was shot in the torso outside an apartment building on West 128th Street, near Lenox Avenue. He was rushed to Harlem Hospital, but the severity of his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
Hayes, a resident of the Bronx, was a devoted family man and a
respected member of his community. He worked tirelessly to support his loved ones, holding down two jobs. By day, he was a day habilitation aide at Lifespire, where he assisted adults with developmental disabilities. In his evenings, he dedicated his time to mentoring young people as a middle school basketball coach for University Prep in the Bronx. Those who knew him described him as a kind and hardworking individual who actively avoided the street violence that was prevalent in his South Bronx neighborhood. He was a loving father to his son, Paris Jr., and cherished the time he spent with his family.
The night he was killed, Hayes had enjoyed a pleasant evening with his mother and girlfriend, sharing dinner and laughter just hours before the fatal shooting. The sudden and senseless nature of his death left his family and friends devastated and searching for answers. In the wake of the shooting, police began an investigation to uncover the motive behind the attack and to identify the person or persons responsible.
Despite their efforts, the investigation into the murder of Paris Emanuel Hayes Sr. has yet to yield any arrests. Authorities have explored various potential leads, but a clear motive for the shooting remains elusive. His family maintains that he had no gang affiliations and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the case remains open, his loved ones continue to hope for justice, holding onto the memory of a man who was deeply loved and whose life was taken far too soon.
