In the early morning hours of May 27, 2016, a violent encounter in the Bronx claimed the life of 55-year-old Lionel Samuel. He was a male victim of a fatal shooting that unfolded at a red light in the Wakefield section of the borough. The incident, which police believe was tied to a drug-related dispute, also left a 54-year-old male passenger wounded.
Samuel was behind the wheel of his 2007 Honda, waiting for the light to change at approximately 5:45 a.m., when another vehicle, a white
car, pulled alongside. Two men from the white car opened fire, striking Samuel in the torso and his passenger in the leg. In a desperate attempt to get help, the injured passenger took control of the vehicle and tried to drive to the hospital. However, their escape was cut short when the car crashed into a tree at 3970 Bronx Blvd. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and transported both men to Jacobi Hospital, where Lionel Samuel was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting led police to identify two suspects: Jonathan 'Platinum' Jay and Sheldon 'Slim' Edmond. Both men were described as ex-convicts with prior criminal records. Jay had six prior charges, including robbery, while Edmond had more than 10, including assault and criminal mischief. Authorities released their nicknames and descriptions to the public, along with information about the getaway car, a 2015 Nissan Altima.
In June of 2016, Jonathan Jay was apprehended by law enforcement and subsequently charged with murder in connection with Samuel's death. His alleged accomplice, Sheldon Edmond, remained at large for several more months. Edmond was eventually captured in February 2017. An officer, who had seen a wanted poster for Edmond, recognized him as a frequent chess player in Washington Square Park. When he was arrested, Edmond was initially charged with criminal possession of marijuana, with murder and attempted murder charges expected to follow as the investigation continued.
