In a burst of violence on a Monday afternoon, just fifty-eight days after his twentieth birthday, Alfredo Collazo was fatally shot in the Bronx. The incident, which police described as a targeted assassination, occurred on February 22, 2016, at the corner of St. Mary's Street and Crimmins Avenue in Mott Haven. A hooded gunman approached from behind and opened fire with a. 45-caliber pistol. The first bullet struck his spine and heart, killing him almost instantly.
The assailant then stood over his body and fired at least six more bullets, resulting in a total of ten entry and exit wounds.
At the time of the shooting, Collazo was with his cousin, Luis Cruz, having just delivered gifts for Cruz's unborn child. When the shots rang out, Cruz fled but circled back to find his cousin lying on the pavement. Despite the presence of a witness, a veil of silence has shrouded the case, hindering the investigation. Cruz, who was by his cousin's side in his final moments, has reportedly refused to identify the killer to Collazo's mother. The killing remains unsolved.
Authorities believe the murder was a gang-related dispute. Collazo was associated with a crew known as Forrest Over Everything, and the shooting is thought to have been a calculated hit rather than a random act of violence. In the aftermath of his death, police were searching for two persons of interest who were seen fleeing towards the nearby Betances Houses. However, no immediate arrests were made. The lack of cooperation from witnesses has frustrated detectives and has led to rumors and threats of retaliation. In one instance, a friend of Collazo's was apprehended with a firearm while allegedly seeking revenge.
