QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Dante Hunter and Shamel Capers following their indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor in Middle Village on July 23, 2023. Hunter is charged with murder, and Capers with attempted murder, among other charges.
The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 23 last year, began when a friend of Taylor’s threw a drink towards Capers and a friend outside a convenience store, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a shootout. Hunter, who joined Capers, is alleged to have fired the round that killed Taylor. The exchange of gunfire resulted in more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings recovered at the scene.
Hunter, 25, of Far Rockaway, faces charges including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Capers, 24, of Brooklyn, faces charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. Both defendants could face up to 25 years to life if convicted of their respective top charges.
The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Christopher Gerardi of the NYPD’s 104th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Lizabeth Klein of the Queens North Homicide Squad. Capers was arrested on May 16 in New Jersey and has been extradited to New York to face charges, while Hunter was already in custody on a parole warrant at the time of the indictment. Justice Michael Aloise has scheduled their next court appearance for June 18.
- Fake plastic surgeon indicted for manslaughter after fatal botched procedure in Queens
QUEENS, NY — A Queens grand jury has indicted Felipe Hoyos Foronda on charges including manslaughter for allegedly performing unauthorized cosmetic surgery that resulted in the death of a 31-year-old woman, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.
Hoyos Foronda, 37, is accused of operating an illegal medical clinic from his Astoria apartment, where Maria Penaloza underwent an unlicensed procedure to remove silicone buttock implants on March 28. Penaloza suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure and died two weeks later after being removed from life support.
Key Points
- Felipe Hoyos Foronda was indicted for manslaughter, assault, and unauthorized practice after a fatal unlicensed surgery.
- Victim Maria Penaloza, 31, went into cardiac arrest following the procedure and died 14 days later.
- Hoyos Foronda attempted to flee the country but was apprehended at JFK Airport.
“This defendant provided an unlicensed medical treatment at a makeshift home clinic in Astoria that led to a 31-year-old woman’s death,” DA Katz said. The procedure involved injections of lidocaine and saline, after which Penaloza became lightheaded and unresponsive.
Emergency responders found Penaloza unconscious in a medical chair. She was transported to Mount Sinai Queens, where she was later determined to have no brain activity. Her death was officially recorded on April 11.
Attempted flight and investigation into illegal clinic
Hoyos Foronda, who has no medical license in the United States, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Florida en route to Colombia. A search of his residence uncovered medical equipment, syringes, injectables, and a binder listing client names.
Hoyos Foronda was arraigned on charges of manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and unauthorized practice of a profession. Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered him to return to court on June 3. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Authorities seek additional victims
District Attorney Katz urged anyone who may have received services from Hoyos Foronda to contact NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline, warning the public to always verify the credentials of medical providers.
Authorities continue to investigate whether other individuals received unauthorized treatments from Hoyos Foronda at his illegal clinic.
A fake surgeon’s deadly deception in Queens has led to manslaughter charges and a desperate search for additional victims.
- Jackpot shared! Four Take 5 winners hit big across NYC
New York, NY — Four top-prize winning tickets were sold for the April 27 Take 5 midday drawing, with lucky players scoring $4,296.50 each, according to the New York Lottery.
The winning tickets were sold at three separate locations across the city. Food Choice No 1, located at 333 E 184th Street in the Bronx, sold one prize-winning ticket. Uncle & Cousins Deli Grocery at 9704-9706 Seaview Avenue in Brooklyn sold two winning tickets. Another winning ticket was purchased at Quick Stop, located at 99-03 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park.
Take 5 numbers are drawn twice daily from a field of one through 39. The midday drawing takes place at 2:30 p.m., followed by the evening drawing at 10:30 p.m.
Key points:
- Four top-prize Take 5 tickets sold for April 27 midday drawing.
- Winning tickets purchased in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Rego Park.
- Each ticket worth $4,296.50, prizes claimable up to one year from the draw date.
Take 5 continues streak of multiple top-prize winners
The Take 5 game allows for multiple top-prize winners in the same drawing if more than one ticket matches all five numbers. This drawing resulted in four winners sharing the top prize across three boroughs.
The New York Lottery encourages all players to check their tickets as prizes from draw games remain valid for up to one year following the drawing.
The winning ticket sales highlight strong participation in one of the lottery’s daily draw games, which consistently produces top-prize winners across the state.
- Brooklyn mini market sells $50K Powerball ticket
Brooklyn, NY — A Powerball player in Brooklyn scored a $50,000 third-place prize in the April 26 drawing, according to the New York Lottery.
The winning ticket was sold at Lucky Corner Mini Market Inc, located at 6101 20th Avenue in Brooklyn. The Powerball drawing selects five numbers from a field of one to 69, with the red Power Ball drawn from a separate field of one to 26.
Powerball drawings are held three times a week — on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday — at 10:59 p.m. A prize of any amount from the New York Lottery’s draw games can be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing.
Key points:
- $50,000 Powerball third-prize ticket sold at Brooklyn’s Lucky Corner Mini Market.
- Winning ticket for the April 26 drawing matched five numbers but missed the Power Ball.
- Lottery prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.
Powerball continues to draw big winners across New York
The Powerball game remains one of the most widely played lottery games nationwide, known for its large jackpots and multiple prize tiers. The third-prize tier of $50,000 is awarded to tickets matching four white ball numbers plus the Power Ball.
The New York Lottery noted that the ticket sold in Brooklyn was one of the third-tier winners in the April 26 drawing, though no jackpot-winning ticket was reported for that night.
The sale at Lucky Corner Mini Market adds to the list of recent Powerball winners across the state.
New York Lottery maintains top spot in North America
The New York Lottery continues to hold its position as the largest and most profitable lottery in North America. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the lottery contributed $3.8 billion to benefit public schools throughout New York State.
Officials also highlighted that resources are available for anyone struggling with gambling addiction, including confidential help through the HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369).
- Bronx convenience shop dishes out $32K lottery prize
Bronx, NY — A lucky Take 5 player in the Bronx scored the top prize in the New York Lottery’s evening drawing on Saturday, securing $32,723.50, officials announced Monday.
The winning ticket for the April 26 Take 5 evening drawing was sold at Shree Naanshardama Convenience, located at 113 Dreiser Loop in the Bronx. The winning numbers were drawn from a field of one through 39, with the drawing held at 10:30 p.m.
The Take 5 game holds drawings twice daily, offering players two chances each day to win. Lottery officials reminded players that draw game prizes may be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing.
Key points:
- $32,723.50 winning Take 5 ticket sold at Bronx convenience store.
- Winning ticket purchased at Shree Naanshardama Convenience on Dreiser Loop.
- Lottery prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.
Take 5 remains one of New York’s top daily draw games
The Take 5 game continues to be a popular choice among New York Lottery players, with drawings held every day at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Players select five numbers from one through 39, and prizes are awarded based on how many numbers match the drawn results.
The lottery noted that each drawing offers a chance for multiple top-prize winners, depending on the number of matching tickets sold.
The New York Lottery remains North America’s largest and most profitable lottery system, contributing $3.8 billion during the 2023-2024 fiscal year to support public education across the state.
Help available for gambling issues
Officials also reminded players that those struggling with gambling addiction, or those concerned about someone they know, can seek help at nyproblemgamblinghelp.org. Support is available through the confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369).
- Brooklyn man arrested for rape of unconcious subway rider in Manhattan
NEW YORK, NY — A Brooklyn man was arrested Sunday night for allegedly assaulting an unconscious rider aboard a Manhattan subway train earlier this month, according to police.
Felix Rojas, 44, was taken into custody at 9:20 p.m. within the confines of the 1st Precinct. Authorities charged him with rape in the first degree following an investigation into the April 9 subway attack, officials said Monday.
Key Points
- Felix Rojas, 44, was arrested Sunday for raping an unconscious man on an “R” train.
- The assault happened near the Whitehall Street subway station on April 9.
- Rojas fled the scene but was tracked down and arrested by NYPD investigators.
The incident occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, when Rojas allegedly engaged in sexual contact with an unconscious and unresponsive adult male aboard a southbound “R” train, police said.
After the attack, Rojas reportedly fled on foot from the Whitehall Street subway station, heading to parts unknown, prompting a weeks-long manhunt by the NYPD’s Special Victims Division.
Investigation leads to Brooklyn arrest
Rojas, whose listed address is 1748 79th Street in Brooklyn, was later identified with the help of surveillance footage, tips, and forensic evidence, according to police sources familiar with the case.
The NYPD had previously released media seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. It was not immediately clear whether public tips led to the arrest.
“An unidentified individual had sexual contact with an unconscious and unresponsive adult male aboard a southbound ‘R’ train,” police reported earlier, leading to the charges against Rojas.
Arrest brings closure to Whitehall Street subway attack
Authorities have not disclosed additional details about how Rojas was located or the specific evidence that connected him to the crime. No information was released about the condition of the victim, who was not publicly identified.
The case remains active, and Rojas is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court. The NYPD said no other suspects are being sought at this time in connection with the incident.