20-Year-Old Detained for Consecutive Homicides in The Bronx

In a notable development late last summer, a young man of 20 was apprehended on charges of committing two homicides only six days apart at an identical location in the Bronx. The accused, identified as Jailyn Wagner, was located and apprehended at a shelter in East Harlem on a Monday. The charges levelled against him included murder, manslaughter, and possession of a firearm. Notably, his record was previously spotless, with no history of arrests.

The initial casualty of Wagner’s alleged crimes was a 28-year-old man named Idriss Cherif El Farissy. El Farissy faced a tragic end outside his residence on E. 176th St. near Mohegan Ave. and Crotona Park in the early morning hours of July 23. According to law enforcement reports, he was shot in the head. His assailant, later accused to be Wagner, was observed rummaging through his pockets before fleeing the scene.

El Farissy, an immigrant from Morocco, earned a living by working as a deliveryman for the pizza chain Papa John’s. The incident occurred shortly after he returned home from work and was parking his car. Unfortunately, the victim couldn’t survive and succumbed to his injuries on the spot. It was later revealed that Wagner, the alleged murderer, happened to be the son of their ex-tenant.

The news of Wagner’s arrest came as a shock to those who knew him. However, despite their devastation, they were relieved that he was now in custody. Though he was a resident there, he did not have any significant relationship with the neighbourhood.

Subsequently, on July 29, Roman Martinez, aged 39, fell victim to similar circumstances. A little before 8 p.m., he was shot multiple times on the head by a gunman who targeted his RV camper—the victim’s residence following a recent separation. The identification of Wagner as the perpetrator was facilitated with the assistance of bystander accounts, supplemented by footage and photographs disseminated to the press.

It remains unclear when law enforcement personnel were able to link the two crimes to the same perpetrator. The subsequent apprehension of Wagner brought some semblance of closure to a neighbour who was acquainted with both victims. However, forgiveness was not yet within her reach as she mourned the irreparable harm done to two families and the broader community.

According to this neighbour, the area had enjoyed a relative period of peace during her 15 years of residence; such brutal incidents were unheard of. She had limited interaction with El Farissy, having just met him once. However, she had developed a friendly rapport with Martinez over time.

The murder of El Farissy had left a profound impact on the neighbourhood. The violent termination of a young life just embarking on a new journey cast a heavy gloom over the community. El Farissy was known as a sociable, polite individual who kept everyone at ease. This polite nature had touched the neighbour when he had introduced himself to her.

Moulay, El Farissy’s brother, painted a picture of a man who was striving to achieve his version of the American Dream – a brother who did not deserve such a tragic fate. Just coming home from work one day, he lost his life. Moulay pleaded for justice to correct this grave injustice.

As the narrative shifted to focus on Martinez, the community recalled a diligent individual who worked as a building superintendent. His former father-in-law, Antonio Gaud, affirmed the sentiment, recounting Martinez’s popularity in the neighbourhood. The lingering remembrance of Martinez was crystallized by Gaud’s characterization of him as a genuinely good person.