Jeremiah Ryan, 18, who was charged last year with the 2022 fatal shooting of innocent bystander and high school student, Angellyh Yambo, 16, in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx, as well as the attempted murder of two of her friends as they walked home from school together, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 15, to 15 years to life in prison in relation to the gang-related shooting. Ryan, who was 17 at the time of the unintended killing of Angellyh and the shooting of her friends, who were hit in crossfire, pled guilty on Aug. 4 this year to second-degree murder, avoiding the need for a trial.

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said on the day of the sentencing, “The defendant was in a dispute with two men when he fired multiple shots from a ‘ghost gun,’ striking Angellyh Yambo, 16, and two more teens who were walking home from school. His actions ended the life of a beautiful, young girl and shattered the lives of the survivors and the families of the victims.”

She added, “Since Angellyh’s death, her family members have channeled their grief into action by starting a foundation to honor her memory. They have met with elected officials and supported legislation targeting ghost guns and have attended multiple anti-violence events my Office has held. Through their work, Angellyh’s memory will live on forever.” Ghost guns are firearms made from components purchased online with no serial number and aren’t traceable.

 

Ryan, now 18 and from The Bronx, was sentenced by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Rosenblueth. Wearing a blue face mask and dressed in court in a faded, green sweatshirt and faded gray sweatpants, which were sliding down his rear and exposing his underwear, and with his hands in cuffs behind him, the 18-year-old remained silent for the most part as he sat beside his legal team during the court proceedings in the Bronx Hall of Justice, and as members of Angellyh’s family read various victim impact statements. No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. The judge explained that this restriction was due to the defendant’s age.

As reported at the time and according to the investigation, on the afternoon of April 8, 2022, in front 510 East 156th Street in Mott Haven, Ryan had a dispute with two men and fired at least six shots, striking Angellyh, a 17-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old girl. The bullet struck Angellyh in her upper back, piercing her lung and pulmonary artery, causing her death.

 

One of the surviving victims was shot in the left leg, and the other teen sustained a gunshot wound to the left buttocks. Ryan fled the scene and was apprehended later that day by police, as reported. Numerous vigils and anti-gun violence marches have since been held in Angellyh’s memory, including one at her school.

As previously reported, Angellyh spent some of her childhood in Kingsbridge Heights and had a street co-named in her honor in May of this year. Family members present on the day of the sentencing included her mother, Yanely Henriquez, her father, Manuel Yambo, her aunt, Mary Hernandez, who was the instigator behind the launch of The Angellyh Yambo Foundation, her aunt, Lissette Camargo, her 4-year-old little brother, Mason, and other relatives, including Abed Henry. Henriquez, Camargo and Hernandez read various impact statements, one of which included a direct statement from Angellyh’s father.

 

Some of the family spoke to the media outside the courthouse afterwards and were also seen crying and hugging each other during the reading of the victim impact statements, and after leaving the courtroom. In each case, though emotional when they spoke about Angellyh, their tone grew stronger and more resolute when they addressed Ryan directly inside the courtroom.

 

Members of Ryan’s family could also be heard sobbing during the court proceedings and a woman who appeared to be his mother called out, “Jeremiah” as he exited the courtroom after the sentencing. For his part, Ryan had remained facing straight ahead at the judge and court officials during the session and, as confirmed by Hernandez and Angellyh’s father, who each had a better view of Ryan than members of media during the sentencing, did not appear to turn at any stage to look at Angellyh’s family, even as they read their statements and held a photo of Angellyh.

Her family said it was the first time Ryan had apologized for her killing. Speaking in a low voice, and after initially declining to say anything, when asked by the judge, Ryan was later heard saying, “I apologize for my actions. I’m sorry.” For the Yambo and Henriquez families, however, his apology came too late.

 

Summing up her victim impact statement, Henriquez talked of the agony of seeing dozens of autopsy photos of her daughter’s lifeless body and how at times, she had wanted to take her own life, saying it had, at times, become meaningless to her. “I’m standing here with all my strength,” she said, in part. Later, addressing Angellyh’s spirit directly, she added, “Your mother loves you forever and a day and we are here to fight for you.” A longer story will follow.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John Miras, senior counsel in the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the Trial Division. Clark later thanked victim advocate Laura Ramirez of the Crime Victims Assistance Bureau for her assistance during the case. She also thanked NYPD Detectives Brianna Constantino and Edwin Ayala of the 40th Precinct for their work in the investigation.

 

*David Greene contributed to this story.