On the evening of April 11, 2020, a gathering to mourn a lost friend in East Harlem, New York, turned into a scene of further tragedy. Frederick Cross, a 40-year-old man known affectionately as 'Mumbles,' was among a group setting up a memorial when gunfire erupted. The unexpected violence claimed the life of Cross and also killed 41-year-old Stefan Ross.
A third man, aged 38, was critically injured in the shooting.
The incident unfolded near East 112th Street and First Avenue, sending shockwaves through the community. Cross, a lifelong resident of East 119th Street, was described as a kind man. He had been raised by his aunt since childhood after his mother passed away and was reportedly looking forward to caring for her upon her release from the hospital. The motive for the shooting was not immediately clear, though it was reported that Cross and Ross were honoring a friend who had been a victim of gun violence the day before.
In the days following the double homicide, the New York Police Department identified a person of interest. On April 16, 2020, the NYPD announced they were seeking 33-year-old James Spain for questioning in connection with the deadly shooting. This announcement offered a glimmer of hope for justice for the families of the victims.
The investigation led to a significant development in the summer of 2020. In July of that year, James Spain was arrested. Further details regarding the specific charges brought against him, the progression of his case through the court system, and any subsequent convictions have not been made publicly available in the information sourced.
