The NYPD said of Wednesday, April 17, that they have arrested a 31-year-old man, sought in connection with the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man in the Crotona section of The Bronx last month.

 

Police said that pursuant to an ongoing investigation, Schward Bee of Mount Vernon, NY, was arrested earlier that morning at 1 a.m. in the confines of the 48th Precinct. He was charged with murder, robbery, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

An NYPD spokesperson said that the shooting unfolded on Sunday, March 31, at around 4.20 a.m. when officers from the 48th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot inside a store located at 851 East Tremont Avenue, on the corner with Marmion Avenue.

The spokesperson said the suspect approached another man inside the store, displayed a gun, and attempted to mug him. Police said during the altercation, the suspect fired the gun, striking the 29-year-old male victim in the right thigh. They said he then fled on foot westbound on East Tremont Avenue to parts unknown.

 

“Upon arrival [at the scene], officers observed a 29-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his right leg,” the police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the male to St. Barnabas Hospital in critical condition where he later succumbed to his injuries.”

Police had said at the time that there were no immediate arrests and the investigation remained ongoing. The deceased was later identified as Stefon Barnes, 29, of Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem.

 

Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, on April 9, police said Sh-Ward Bee (no address provided) was being sought in connection to the incident. Media depicting Bee is attached.

At least one shooting was reported in the same neighborhood last year.

Police had described Bee as male, with a medium complexion, between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall, with a medium build. They said he was last seen wearing a black jacket, black sweatpants, black hoodies, a sweatshirt and black sneakers.

 

Friends and family of the victim later held a memorial service outside the bodega to honor him, as reported.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.