In a shocking turn of events, a 35-year-old man wearing a Yankees jersey has been charged for shooting a 17-year-old girl with a stray bullet during a confrontation near Manhattan’s Mexican Day Parade. The suspect, identified as Joel Nieves, reportedly declared to law enforcement, “That’s me… holding the gun,” after being shown footage of the incident, according to prosecutors on Tuesday.
During his arraignment, it was revealed that Nieves opened fire on rival gang members at the intersection of 27th Street and Park Avenue, unintentionally wounding an innocent teenager in the shoulder. The girl has since suffered a collapsed lung and is receiving medical attention at Bellevue Hospital, while her distraught mother chose not to comment on the situation.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Ritter told the presiding Judge Janet McDonnell, “He admitted to possessing a gun and firing it at rival gang members.” The motive behind this violent encounter remains unclear.
Nieves, a Bronx native with a lengthy criminal record featuring at least 10 prior arrests, faces serious charges including attempted murder, assault, and weapon possession. The judge granted the prosecution’s bail request of $250,000 in cash.
As investigations progressed, authorities noted Nieves is also suspected of a stabbing incident connected to a 24-year-old man that transpired just moments before the shooting at 28th Street and Madison Avenue. Video evidence captures Nieves brandishing a scalpel during this violent altercation, with the weapon later recovered from him post-arrest.
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Police have also apprehended a 14-year-old boy linked to the stabbing, who faces gang assault charges.
In defense, Nieves’ lawyer, Brad Foster from the Legal Aid Society, attempted to minimize the impact of Nieves’ criminal history, emphasizing that his primary conviction was recorded in 2013. However, court records indicate that Nieves pled guilty to attempted robbery in 2014, resulting in a six-month jail sentence and five years of probation. He currently faces two active warrants stemming from missed court appearances related to different Brooklyn and Queens cases.
In summary, Nieves’ criminal history encompasses various offenses, including robbery, fare evasion, possession of marijuana, and weapons charges. He is scheduled to return to court on September 26.
