On a warm evening in the Bronx, 43-year-old Curtis Brown was enjoying a game of dominoes with his friend, Egbert Rutherford. The two men, both originally from Jamaica, often gathered with others for a friendly game at the Morrison Avenue Street Plaza. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, their game took place in front of an urgent care clinic located at 1643 Westchester Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx.
It was a typical night until approximately 10:10 PM, when the sounds of gunfire shattered the peace. Both Brown and Rutherford were struck by multiple bullets in what witnesses later described as a brief but violent confrontation with a group of men. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, and both men were rushed to NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi, but their injuries were too severe, and both were pronounced deceased.
The double homicide left the local community in a state of shock and fear. Neighbors and friends remembered Curtis Brown and Egbert Rutherford as hardworking men. Rutherford's wife of 13 years, Angelique Irving, described her husband as a dedicated home health aide who worked seven days a week to care for others. The senseless violence of their deaths left a deep impact on those who knew them and the broader community, with many expressing their devastation and calling for an end to the violence plaguing their streets. The New York City Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the killings, canvassing the area for evidence and witnesses. Detectives were seen placing evidence markers around a white Toyota that appeared to have been hit by bullets and were also inspecting a nearby scooter.
In the days following the shooting, the NYPD released surveillance footage and photographs of three individuals they believe to be connected to the murders. The images show the suspects fleeing the scene shortly after the shots were fired. Police described the wanted individuals as three men with dreadlocks, wearing dark clothing. Despite the release of this media and a public plea for information, the suspects have not yet been identified or apprehended and remain at large. The investigation into the deaths of Curtis Brown and Egbert Rutherford is ongoing, and as of now, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed. The case remains an open and active homicide investigation, with the police urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice for the two friends whose lives were tragically cut short.
