In the city of Syracuse, New York, the life of 26-year-old Jakari Townsend was tragically cut short on the evening of Tuesday, September 16, 2025. He was the victim of a drive-by shooting that unfolded on Bellevue Avenue, leaving another 25-year-old man injured. First responders rushed Townsend to Upstate University Hospital with a gunshot wound, but he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led Syracuse police to identify three suspects believed to be involved in
the fatal incident. The first arrest came when detectives located and apprehended 33-year-old David Herndon on Gifford Street. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center awaiting arraignment. Following this, a 17-year-old male suspect, accompanied by a parent, turned himself in to the authorities at the Public Safety Building. Due to his age, his name has not been publicly released, and he is currently detained at the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center.
The search for the third suspect extended beyond New York State. Law enforcement tracked 18-year-old Rephaya Oselmo to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he was taken into custody. Oselmo faces charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Townsend's death. Despite these arrests, the Syracuse Police Department's investigation remains active as they believe at least two other individuals may have been involved in the shooting. Detectives continue to conduct interviews and execute search warrants to gather more evidence and bring all responsible parties to justice.
