by Bronx, NY – Four suspected gang members — including two teenagers — have been charged with murder following a Saturday night shooting at a Bronx park that left one man dead and a 17-year-old girl fighting for her life, authorities said.
Charges and Arraignments
Robert Royal, 25, and Daeven Reyes, 20, were arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court on Monday and ordered held without bail. Both face charges of murder, attempted murder, gang assault, and criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.
Also charged are 17-year-old Messiah Hugie and 16-year-old Ny’Zay Wigfall. Prosecutors confirmed both teens will have their cases transferred to the youth part of adult court. Wigfall was arraigned Tuesday and ordered held without bail, while Hugie is expected to appear in court Wednesday.
The Shooting
The suspects are accused of storming a basketball tournament at Haffen Park around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, opening fire on the crowd. The gunfire killed 32-year-old Jaceil Banks and wounded four others, including 17-year-old Anthonaya Campbell, a Connecticut teen who had been visiting friends and family in the neighborhood.
Campbell was struck in the head and rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Doctors warned her mother, Jennifer Talbot — who had been celebrating her PhD graduation when she received the news — to prepare for the worst.
Criminal Backgrounds
Reyes has a prior gun possession case from last year, while Royal, who was himself shot in a separate incident last month, faces a pending charge for allegedly assaulting a police officer, along with two sealed cases, according to law enforcement sources.
Royal’s mother, Mattie Losey, 50, defended her son, claiming he was wrongly accused. She told reporters that Royal had been “ultimately exonerated” in an earlier attempted murder case and insisted he is a drill rapper with no weapons.
“It’s mistaken identity because that [victim] was his friend,” Losey said, alleging police arrested him because he was wearing an orange hoodie near the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Police say the investigation remains active as they work to piece together the motive and gang connections tied to the shooting. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office emphasized the seriousness of the case, citing the deadly impact of gang-related gun violence on city neighborhoods.
Campbell remains in critical condition as her family continues to hold vigil at the hospital.
