Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, April 2, that a Bronx man has been indicted on a total of 66 charges – including multiple counts of attempted murder, assault and robbery charges – for viciously slashing and assaulting eight people in the Bronx.

 

Clark said the defendant, JayQawn Byers, 22, of 4331 Byron Avenue, was arraigned on Friday on 66 counts, including seven counts of attempted murder in the second degree, 15 counts of first-degree assault, 16 counts of second-degree assault, seven counts of third-degree assault, attempted assault in the third degree, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of attempted robbery in the first degree, second and third-degree robbery, attempted robbery in the second and third degree, fourth-degree grand larceny, attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree, petit larceny, attempted petit larceny, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and seven counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon before Bronx Supreme Court Justice, Michael Gross.

 

According to the investigation, the following incidents occurred.

 

On August 4, 2020, at 888 Hunts Point Avenue in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, Byers approached his first victim, Earl Harrell, 55, and allegedly knocked him down to the ground. He then allegedly kicked Harrell in the head multiple times while he laid on the floor. When the victim lost consciousness, Byers allegedly took Harrell’s money and wallet and fled the scene. The victim suffered traumatic brain injury and was in a coma.

 

On August 5, 2020 at 346 Baychester Avenue in the Baychester section of the Bronx, Byers allegedly approached and slashed Anthony Gibbs, 59, on the left side of his neck and face. The victim sought treatment at a local hospital and received 24 stitches. Approximately five hours later, at 2134 White Plains Road, in the Indian Village section of the Bronx, the defendant allegedly approached Michael Solnik, 65, from behind and slashed him on the left side of his neck. The victim received 20 stitches. Approximately 20 minutes later, Byers approached Danny Estus, 45, who was walking down the street on White Plains Road, and allegedly slashed him in the neck also.

 

At approximately 6 p.m. on August 6, 2020, in front of 3821 White Plains Road, in the Olinville section of the borough, the defendant approached Shamil Mohamed, 40, and allegedly slashed him in the neck and mouth. Approximately 30 minutes later, the defendant approached Jose Baez, 38, also on White Plains Road and allegedly slashed him in the face also. Shortly after Byers attacked Baez, the defendant approached Ramon Capellan, 75, who was sitting outside on his walker. Byers allegedly demanded money from Capellan, then slashed the victim in the neck, face, and arm.

 

The defendant was arrested on August 7, 2020. While in custody, Byers allegedly punched a detainee, Lamont Odom, 48, who was inside the holding pen with him at the 47^th precinct.

 

In a press release announcing the indictments, Clark said, “The defendant, who allegedly has ties to the Bloods, attacked nine people in the Bronx during a span of four days, slashing most of them in the neck.” She added that he mostly targeted men over the age of 50, with the two oldest victims being ages 65 and 75 years old respectively. “We will seek justice for the victims in these unprovoked attacks, and for Bronx residents who have the right to walk freely in their communities without fearing for their safety,” Clark said.

 

Norwood News made inquiries with the Bronx District Attorney’s office as to whether the defendant had undergone psychological evaluation, and we were duly informed that Byers was indeed evaluated and was found fit to proceed by the defense’s medical professional.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joseph Maniscalco and Assistant District Attorney Samantha Miller, both of Trial Bureau 40, under the supervision of Catherine Davis, chief of Trial Bureau 40, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the trial division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the trial division.

 

Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Robert Regnier, Michael Simpson, Kevin Mockel and NYPD Officer Edwin Vega, all of the 47^th precinct, as well as NYPD Detective Dwayne Leeshue of the 41^st precinct, NYPD Detective Robinson Martinez of the 49^th precinct, and NYPD Detective Jonathan Virtuoso of the 45^th precinct for their assistance in the investigation.

 

Last last year, Norwood News reported that on Dec. 23, nine alleged Bloods gang members had been indicted on various charges of sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking and promoting prostitution, as well as additional charges for running a sex trafficking ring out of multiple Bronx motels and other hotels around the city.

 

The defendant remains in custody and is due back in court on June 25, 2021.

 

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