Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced the sentencing of Zymir Humphrey, 20, to 15 years to life for the 2022 fatal shooting of 21-year-old Brandon Atkinson on the Lower East Side. Humphrey pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on November 4, 2024, in connection with the crime, which was tied to gang rivalries.

According to Manhattan District Attorney's Office release, Bragg emphasized that cycles of retaliation continue to drive gun violence, destabilizing communities and resulting in the deaths of young New Yorkers. He also highlighted his office's efforts to address shootings and illegal firearms through partnerships focused on law enforcement and public safety.

Humphrey and Atkinson were both members of rival gangs on the Lower East Side. Humphrey shot Atkinson on May 15, 2022, near East 3rd Street and Avenue D, believing Atkinson was involved in a robbery, although he was not. Humphrey carried out the shooting in rival gang territory.

After the shooting, Humphrey fled New York, and a cross-state manhunt ended with his arrest in West Virginia by U.S. Marshals in July 2022. The legal process then moved forward, leading to his conviction and sentencing.