Man Arrested for Allegedly Beating Homeless Man to Death in the Bronx
A man who had been on the run after allegedly beating a homeless man to death was apprehended by police in the Bronx. Jorrell Shoals, 37, was stopped by officers for drinking in public when they discovered he was wanted for the fatal attack on Ramon Cruz, 54.
Shoals, whose last known address is in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was initially stopped for a minor offense of having an open alcoholic drink in public. However, further investigation revealed his connection to the brutal June 23 assault on Cruz, according to prosecutors and sources.
The incident took place on Willis Avenue near East 149th Street in Mott Haven, where Cruz was sleeping on the sidewalk. Shoals allegedly approached him and repeatedly punched him in the head, causing Cruz to fall and hit his head on the ground.
Cruz was rushed to Lincoln Medical Center and later slipped into a coma due to the severity of his injuries. He tragically passed away on July 17 from complications of blunt force trauma.
Bronx DA Darcel D. Clark condemned the attack, stating, “The victim suffered severe injuries and he was in a coma before passing away from his injuries.” Shoals, who had no prior criminal record, was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on December 19.
