Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Thursday, March 10, that a New Rochelle man has been charged with second-degree murder and additional charges for fatally shooting a man during a bloody melee in Bedford Park which also left the defendant’s brother dead.

 

Clark said the defendant, Wayne Smith, 28, of New Rochelle, NY, was arraigned on Thursday on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree gang assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a firearm before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett.

 

She said, “The defendant and several other men were involved in an argument during a baby shower and took the dispute outside, where the defendant allegedly shot and killed a man while another stabbed him. The victim had fatally shot the defendant’s brother during the incident. The violent scene was captured on video.”

 

According to the investigation, and as reported, on Feb. 12, 2022, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the defendant, his brother, and several other men, including the deceased, Arnold Oliver, 24, were involved in a dispute. While attending a baby shower near 393 East 198th Street in Bedford Park, they stepped outside of the party and began fighting.

 

The men allegedly assaulted Oliver, who allegedly took out a gun and shot at them, striking Smith’s brother. An unapprehended person allegedly stabbed Oliver multiple times in the head and neck. Smith took the gun from Oliver and allegedly shot him at least once in the head. Smith then allegedly repeatedly stomped and kicked Oliver as he lay on the ground.

 

Police arrived at the scene and saw Smith with the gun in his hand, kicking Oliver, and arrested him. Oliver was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The investigation is ongoing.

 

The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorney, Orville Reynolds, 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 thanked Shaniqua Carr, director of professional staff at the trial division, trial preparation assistant, Taylor Erklenz, of the homicide bureau, as well as NYPD Detectives Fairoze Edoo of the 52nd precinct squad and Patrick Flatley of Bronx homicide for their work on the investigation.

 

In 2013, as reported, police said two young men, aged 20 and 22 respectively, were shot during a baby shower in Concourse Village on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. Both were taken to Lincoln Hospital. The younger man, Jamie Joseph, a Brooklyn resident, died from his wound at the hospital, while the other victim was listed in stable condition the following morning. Two days later, police announced a 19-year-old Williamsbridge resident had been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder, among other charges.

 

The defendant in this latest case, Smith, was remanded in custody, and is due back in court on March 16.

 

A person arrested and accused of a crime is innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.