Two men are facing murder charges after assaulting a Bronx fruit vendor with a baseball bat, leading to his death, according to the NYPD. Romel Jarrett, 37, and Terrence Downes, 44, were initially taken into custody after attacking 56-year-old Leslie Sanchez in Fordham Heights the previous night. Sanchez, a father of three, was beaten while selling fruit at his usual spot on East Fordham Road and Grand Concourse.
His wife, Maciel Vasquez, informed News 12 about the incident, stating that the two men beat Sanchez while attempting to rob him. The following day, fellow vendors gathered on the street corner to raise awareness about safety concerns while working.
Jarrett and Downes fled the scene on foot, leaving Sanchez in critical condition. He was rushed to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he remained on life support due to serious head injuries. Unfortunately, Sanchez passed away two days later from the injuries sustained during the attack.
Both Jarrett and Downes pleaded not guilty in Bronx Criminal Court and were remanded. Their legal representatives have not responded to requests for comments. Downes is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 10, while Jarrett’s court date is set for Oct. 15.
Despite a citywide decrease in major crimes like murder, the 46th precinct, which includes Fordham Heights, has seen a 120% rise in homicides this year compared to the previous year. Data from the NYPD’s CompStat system shows that 22 individuals have been killed in the precinct as of Sept. 15, up from 10 during the same period last year. Additionally, robberies have increased by 17% in the area.
It is truly devastating to see such senseless acts of violence impacting innocent individuals like Leslie Sanchez. The community must come together to address safety concerns and work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time.
