A group of elected officials applauded news that M Lounge & Restaurant in Fordham Heights had its liquor license suspended on Friday, July 24, and are advocating that the management of the bar not be allowed reopen anywhere in the City again.

 

The bar, located at 2362 Jerome Avenue close to East 184th Street, was seen shuttered on Tuesday, July 28. It follows the fatal shooting inside the establishment in the early hours of July 16, a shooting which resulted in the death of 29-year-old Yeimy Reyes. A 24-year-old man is being sought in connection with the incident.

 

As reported, police are appealing to the public for help identifying and locating the 24-year-old man seen in the attached photo further below who they say is sought for questioning following the incident.

 

An NYPD spokesperson said that on July 16 at around 4.26 a.m., police from the 46th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in front of 2362 Jerome Avenue.

 

“Upon arrival, officers observed a 29-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the head,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene. There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.”

On Tuesday, July 21, detectives said that pursuant to an ongoing investigation, Luis Aguero is being sought for questioning in connection with the incident. They shared the attached photo of Aguero and are appealing to the public for help locating him.

 

The NYPD later said a dispute had arisen earlier inside the bar and the shooting appears to have stemmed from that dispute, though, as above, the investigation remains ongoing.

 

A visit to the bar on Tuesday, July 28, found two police officers guarding the shuttered venue and various notices on the door, including a suspension notice, as attached.

 

The same day,  City Council Member Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14), Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), and State Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (A.D. 86) released a joint statement, describing M Lounge as “a local business with a history of violence and noncompliance.”

“Violence is not normal, and we will never accept it as inevitable in the West Bronx,” they said. “Every resident deserves to feel safe at home, on their block, and in establishments serving their community. Businesses must protect their patrons, operate lawfully, and safeguard their neighbors. When they repeatedly fail, government must act decisively, lawfully, and with full respect for due process.”

The group of elected officials continued, “The suspension of M Lounge’s liquor license is an important step toward addressing the dangerous conditions surrounding its operations. The establishment has demonstrated a persistent disregard for public safety, with chronic disorder, late-night disturbances, fights, violence, repeated complaints, agency interventions, and unsuccessful attempts to secure compliance. Then, on July 16, a man was brutally killed, leaving a family in mourning and a community shaken.”

 

The statement continued, “We commend the New York State Liquor Authority for expediting its existing investigation and suspending M Lounge’s license following this horrific homicide and the urgent advocacy of local elected officials. We also thank the Governor’s Office, City Hall, the NYPD, and other agencies for coordinating this response.”

 

The statement continued, “But this suspension is only the first step. We continue to call upon all relevant agencies to pursue every legal and administrative remedy supported by the evidence, including permanent license revocation and court-authorized closure. Following all required proceedings, M Lounge should not be permitted to continue operating under another address or business name.”

It concluded, “Our prayers remain with the victim’s loved ones. Violence has surged across our community in recent weeks, and the West Bronx urgently needs greater support, investment, and sustained action to keep our people safe.”

 

The elected officials said the fatal shooting of Reyes at the bar followed “a history of complaints and interventions” in respect of the premises.

 

City records show the building is owned by 421 US I Realty with LLC and is managed by Atlantis Management with an address in Mt. Vernon, NY. Norwood News has reached out to Atlantis Management for comment.

 

In relation to some dismissed violations in respect of the premises, Norwood News has also reached out to NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) to ask for the reason for the dismissal. A spokesperson responded saying, “The violations ending in 00086, 00087, 00088 were dismissed because the applicant who received the violations submitted a certificate of correction to the Department, and paid the civil penalty due. The violation ending in 00085 was dismissed by the judge at the OATH hearing.” More details about these violations can be found here.

Norwood News spoke to a few local business employees / owners in the area on July 28 and asked if they knew anything further about the shooting. One man said it happened when his business was closed and that he did not know anything further except that a person had been shot. Asked if there was ever any trouble outside the bar, he said no, adding that it was very quiet inside, and that the windows were dark.

 

Another local business owner said, similarly, the bar tended to be busiest throughout the early hours when his businesses was shut. Asked if there was every any fighting around the bar, he said not to his knowledge.

Two young men were passing the bar on Tuesday while Norwood News was there. We asked one of the two if they had ever frequented it. Speaking in Spanish, one of the young men replied that he didn’t but that the victim had been a friend of his. After offering our condolences, Norwood News asked the young man if he wanted to say anything about his late friend. He declined and seemed anxious not to delay in the area.

 

Major crime statistics for the 46th Precinct, where the shooting took place, are attached. As reported, in a separate incident, a woman was shot in the leg at East 187th Street and Webster Avenue in Fordham Heights on Saturday night, July 25. Meanwhile, across the street from M Lounge, as reported, a car awaiting repairs ignited in flames on Sunday, July 26.

 

The car was still there on Tuesday and the engine section was covered over with a plastic cover.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this individual 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/, on X @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.