Yonkers Man Arrested in Dominican Republic for Manhattan Murder

Juan Peguero, a 23-year-old resident of Yonkers, has been taken into custody and charged with murder for the 2022 shooting of Erni Garcia in Manhattan.

The shooting unfolded on the night of Monday, July 11, 2022. At approximately 8:35pm, police responded to a 911 call reporting a male shot in front of a bodega located on 187 Sherman Avenue. Authorities discovered the victim, 24-year-old Erni Garcia , at the scene with a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite emergency medical response, Garcia succumbed to his injuries after arriving at Saint Barnabas Hospital.

Witnesses attested to a white BMW arriving at the bodega when a man emerged from the vehicle wearing a surgical mask and a winter coat. The man then fired at Garcia before speeding away in the BMW. Video evidence also obtained by authorities aided in the eventual identification of their suspect.

The investigation into Garcia’s murder persisted through the years and culminated with an arrest this week. U.S. Marshals captured Juan Peguero in the Dominican Republic and returned him back to Manhattan on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Peguero now faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

As of the latest update, the motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed by law enforcement officials. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.