A celebration of life turned into a scene of tragedy for Edy Corniel, a 28-year-old man from the Bronx, who was fatally shot in the early morning hours of January 20, 2020. Corniel was out celebrating his birthday with friends at the Floridita Restaurant and Bar, an all-night establishment in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. The festive atmosphere took a dark turn around 4:50 a.m.
following a minor incident.
The violence erupted after a friend of Corniel's accidentally bumped into another man in the crowded restaurant. Although an apology was offered, the situation quickly escalated. The man, later identified as Todd Drayton, became confrontational and attempted to punch Corniel's friend. In the ensuing chaos, Drayton allegedly retrieved a handgun from a woman he was with, identified as Tyler Burgos, and opened fire. Corniel was struck in the torso. Two other patrons, a 29-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, were also wounded in the shooting but were in stable condition. Edy Corniel was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
For over a year, the case remained under investigation. Then, on July 29, 2021, authorities announced the arrests of two suspects. Todd Drayton, 33 years old at the time of his arrest, was identified by police as the gunman. He was taken into custody and charged with murder and assault. His companion, 28-year-old Tyler Burgos, was also arrested and faced a charge of weapons possession for allegedly supplying the firearm used in the deadly shooting.
Following their arrests, the legal process began for both Drayton and Burgos. The community and the family of Edy Corniel, who was remembered as a hardworking man in the construction industry and a devoted husband and father to a young son, awaited the outcomes of the criminal proceedings, hoping for justice in the wake of a senseless act of violence that cut a young life short. The case highlighted the tragic consequences that can arise from minor disputes when firearms are introduced into the equation.
