Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., has revealed the indictment of 49-year-old Wilfred Cruz, who is accused of opening fire on a store owned by his ex-girlfriend's current beau following a squabble last month. This legal action comes after police found an arsenal at Cruz's abode, including three guns and other assorted weaponry, as reported by the Manhattan DA's Office.
According to statements made in court, this flare-up of violence on June 14, stemmed from an altercation involving Cruz, his ex-partner, and her current romantic interest on the streets of East Harlem, culminating in Cruz returning to the scene after a quick change of clothes and discharging four bullets towards the storefront, shattering its window, Court documents obtained by the Manhattan DA's Office detailed the dramatic episode. The NYPD later obtained a search warrant and on June 28 discovered the cache of weapons housed within Cruz’s apartment and vehicle including a range of items from knives and switchblades to axes, swords, machetes, and a baton complementing the trove of firearms and ammunition.
Assistant D.A. Meghan McLoughlin is taking the reins of the prosecution with oversight from Assistant D.A. Kaitlyn Flatley and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney – all part of the DA’s Special Victims Division. The complexities of the case are also being navigated with support from Austin Minogue, Rory Fleming, and Josephine Metcalf, as per the DA's Office's records. The indictment charges Cruz with eight counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, 31 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree.
Officials from the DA's Office have extended their gratitude to the NYPD's dedicated team from the 23rd Precinct, recognizing Detectives Helin Marte, Billy Dunn, Tyesha McCloud, and Ivonne Ramirez for their integral roles in the investigation.
