Officers shot Messiah Nantwi more than 20 times after he allegedly resisted arrest and fired his gun at police in 021. But he survived — and is now accused of murdering two men. “He was constantly looking around, behind his shoulders.”
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023.Officers shot Messiah Nantwi more than 20 times after he allegedly resisted arrest and fired his gun at police in February 2021.This week, a Manhattan Criminal Court judge ordered Nantwi held without bail in connection to the shooting deaths of Jaylen Duncan, 19, and Brandon Brunson, 36. Families of his two alleged victims asked how a man accused of attempted murder of police officers could have been allowed back out on the streets.
Nantwi was already well known to the NYPD and to the public even before police released grainy images of him standing over a dead body this week. This week, Nantwi was arrested on a Citi bike near 115th Street and Lenox Avenue. Detectives were able to identify him from surveillance video related to the Saturday murder of Duncan on Madison Avenue and East 132nd Street, and the Easter Sunday murder of Brunson at a smoke shop on Lenox Avenue. The shootings took place less than a mile apart.While Nantwi physically recovered from his 2021 injuries, his mental state was tenuous.
After applications from Nantwi’s lawyer Anthony Ricco, bail was later lowered to $300,000 cash or 10% bond. Again, objections from the Bronx DA were overruled. Donations from family friends reached the necessary $30,000 threshold and Nantwi was released from custody in the summer of 2021. Brunson, who lived in Brooklyn, was on a quick break from his job at the nearby Mount Morris Plaza Senior Housing center when he encountered Nantwi at the Lenox Avenue smoke shop on Sunday.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NYPD worker says lieutenant assaulted and threatened to kill her, lawsuit saysA civilian New York Police Department employee has accused her supervisor of sexually assaulting her and threatening to push her in front of a train after their romantic relationship ended.
Read more »
Married NYPD boss pressured worker for threesomes, became 'enraged' as relationship crumbled: suitA civilian New York City Police Department employee filed a lawsuit against her supervisor and the city over alleged sexual assault, harassment and threats she faced.
Read more »
NYPD plans crackdown on illegal, unlicensed smoke shops after deadly shootingThe city has seen a staggering rise in crime surrounding cash-only, illegal and unlicensed smoke shops.
Read more »
NYPD brings back robot dogs, mayor says can't fear techNYPD's robot dogs are back after backlash. NYC Mayor Eric Adams says 'we cannot be afraid' of the technology.
Read more »
'Faithful Unto Death': Robotic dog set to make a comeback to NYPD task forceRobotic dogs were first introduced to the New York Police Department during the previous administration, but the technology was not implemented due to public outcry.
Read more »