In the late hours of a cold December night in the Bronx, the life of a young man was tragically cut short. Devon McFarlane, a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally shot near his home in the University Heights neighborhood on December 27, 2019. The incident unfolded around 11:30 p.m. at the corner of East Burnside Avenue and Morris Avenue. Police responded to a 911 call and found McFarlane unconscious and unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to his back. He was rushed to St.
Barnabas Hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced deceased.
The investigation into McFarlane's death swiftly led authorities to a suspect. On December 31, 2019, just four days after the shooting, 27-year-old Mathew Torres was apprehended at John F. Kennedy Airport. Authorities stated that Torres was attempting to flee the country to the Dominican Republic and was found with a significant amount of cash and forged travel documents. Following his arrest, Torres, a resident of the Bronx, was charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with McFarlane's death.
Prosecutors have alleged that Torres was the driver in a drive-by shooting that claimed McFarlane's life. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Torres's vehicle near the scene of the crime, and it is believed that a passenger in his car fired the fatal shot. During his arraignment, Torres's defense attorney argued that he should not face a murder charge as he was not the triggerman. Despite this, a judge set his bail at $500,000, citing his attempt to flee as a significant factor. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing as the community and McFarlane's family await justice.
