In the early hours of a Sunday morning in the Bronx, the life of 19-year-old Brandon Rivera was tragically cut short. On May 29, 2016, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the sound of gunfire pierced the night on Crotona Avenue near East 187th Street. The alert came from the ShotSpotter gunfire-detection system, prompting a swift police response to 2335 Crotona Ave. There, officers discovered Rivera with gunshot wounds to his chest and shoulder. He was rushed to St.
Barnabas Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead. Rivera was a resident of Clinton Avenue in the Bronx.
The investigation into the shooting led police to identify suspects. A few days after the incident, authorities arrested 28-year-old Efrain Camacho. He was subsequently charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Rivera's death. The motive for the shooting was believed by police to be related to a gang dispute, specifically between the Bloods and Crips.
As the investigation continued, law enforcement sought another individual in connection with the homicide. In December 2016, the New York Police Department announced they were looking to question 20-year-old Tavon Gillis regarding the fatal shooting of Brandon Rivera. Police found a gun at the scene of the crime.
