Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., has announced the indictment of Eduardo Diaz, 42, on charges of attempted murder in the wake of a violent altercation on the Upper West Side last month. According to the press release from the Manhattan DA's office, Diaz stands accused of confronting and shooting his former boss in broad daylight.
This assault, which transpired after Diaz's termination from his job and a threatening text message sent months prior, occurred near West 68th Street and Columbus Avenue around 9:15 a.m., on November 7. Following a scuffle in which his firearm initially jammed, Diaz allegedly pursued his former employer onto the street and shot the victim multiple times. With the shots fired, striking in the ankle, hip, and shoulder, the 47-year-old man was left to fall to the ground, where Diaz continued firing.
The victim was subsequently hospitalized at Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, where he underwent several days of treatment. Charged with one count of each of attempted murder and assault, as well as two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, Diaz's alleged actions brazenly disregarded the safety of Manhattanites, as per the Manhattan DA's statement. The violence extended past individual harm, as Diaz fled into the subway, escaping through the tunnels at the 72 Street station, which caused concern and disruption among commuters and residents alike.
On November 8, law enforcement apprehended Diaz at a residence in Queens, where they recovered a firearm and ammunition, along with clothing matching the description of that worn during the shooting. In managing the aftermath of the chaos Diaz sowed through the community, the NYPD, particularly Detectives Christopher Latty of the 20th Precinct and Christopher O'Connor of the Warrant Section, received acknowledgment from D.A. Bragg.
The prosecution of Diaz will be handled by Assistant D.A.s Patrick Nelligan and Sidney Balman III, overseen by Assistant D.A.s of varying levels of Trial Bureau 60 and the Executive Assistant D.A. of the Trial Division. As this case moves through the court system, it will inevitably shine a spotlight on the city's ongoing battle with gun violence and the consistent efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens.
