New York, NY – A tragic incident unfolded in East Harlem as a 19-year-old expecting father was fatally shot by a gunman targeting his aunt, who was his ex-girlfriend. Jose Rodriguez, 54, is facing charges of murder, assault, and weapons possession in connection with the shooting that occurred in an apartment on E. 112th St. near Third Ave., within NYCHA’s Jefferson Houses.
The homeless suspect forced his way into his ex-girlfriend Melidy Adega’s apartment in the early hours of Wednesday, pulled out a gun, and began firing shots, as reported by the Daily News. Among those present was victim Ramon Alvarez, who rushed into the room upon hearing the commotion caused by Rodriguez. Alvarez was shot first, according to his aunt Adega, who narrowly escaped a bullet aimed at her face by grabbing the gun’s barrel.
Alvarez, conscious and speaking when medics arrived, was taken to Harlem Hospital, where unfortunately, his condition deteriorated, leading to his death. Rodriguez fled the scene on a bicycle, leaving behind the weapon before being apprehended by law enforcement the next day. With 27 prior arrests, including 17 felonies, Rodriguez’s criminal history adds a concerning dimension to the tragic event.
Adega revealed that she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Rodriguez for approximately four years before recently ending their tumultuous connection. The victim, expecting a baby boy with his girlfriend next month, will tragically miss the joyous occasion they had been looking forward to celebrating at a baby shower scheduled for the weekend. The loss has left his family devastated, with loved ones expressing their grief and shock at the sudden tragedy.
Described as a hardworking individual striving to improve his life by working for the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation and pursuing his GED, Alvarez’s untimely death has deeply impacted those who knew him. The senseless violence has left friends and family grappling with the profound loss of a young man who was just starting his journey into fatherhood, leaving a void that cannot be filled. As the community mourns the loss of a promising young life, questions linger about what could have prevented this tragic outcome and how such senseless violence can be addressed going forward.