Authorities on Tuesday identified the shooter as the victim’s older brother, who was 15 at the time of the shooting on Staten Island earlier this month.
At after 11 p.m. on February 16, Steven Estevez was struck by a bullet on the second floor of a building on Thompson Side street Curtis Street in Stapleton Heights.
After being transported, he arrived at Richmond Medical University, where his condition was first described as critical. The next day, police stated he died from his injuries, but sources told the Rhode Island Advance that he had been taken off life support the week before.
Approximately 9:30 p.m. on February 17, police detained his 17-year-old brother, who has been identified by his lawyers as David Estevez, and charged him with violence and weapons possession.
This Was The 2nd Incident Of The Day
On Tuesday, a witness told The Post that she was at home at the moment the shooting occurred and heard the elder boy screaming for help.
“I heard the gun go off, then I heard the beating, and then I heard, “Oh my Lord, Oh my God!” recalled the neighbour who did not wish to be identified.
They made a unified call to the authorities. David came down to meet the police, and I was there. Help us, he pleaded. It appears he is still alive and well up there. Join us in the loft.
As of Tuesday, authorities speculated that the gunshot may have been unintentional but offered no further explanation.
I think Peter is really afraid and sorry,” the neighbour remarked. I don’t think he had any ill intentions.
She stated that while their mother was at work, the uncles would monitor the boys and “just let them do just what the heck they wanted to do.”
On the evening that the shooting occurred, she said, the boys had some friends over and were listening to drill music, which was not out of the ordinary for them.
She went on to say that she had seen the students “grow up” from elementary school to high school. They were inseparable even before they met. All of their mutual acquaintances were also pals with them. David constantly watched out for Steven as he was with them.
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After The Bullet Hit Him, What Occurred?
David is accused of hiding the gun immediately after the incident, possibly out of fear. Officers eventually located the firearm.
On the evening of February 16 at approximately 11:55 p.m., an apartment on Thomson Street, near Wright Street, in the Stapleton neighbourhood received a 911 call reporting a man had been shot.
Steven was sent in critical condition to the Richmond Medical University in West Brighton by responding emergency personnel.
Around 9:35 p.m., David was taken into custody on suspicion of assault, carrying a concealed weapon, illegally possessing a handgun, and criminal ownership of a weapon.
Also read: A 15-Year-Old Boy Was Attacked With Punches, Stabs, And Gunfire On A New York City Street.
The public records reveal that he was prosecuted in a court of law in St. George and entered a not guilty plea. It was unclear right away whether or not prosecutors would seek more serious accusations against him.
The Legal Aid Organization, which again was assigned to counsel David, termed it a ‘extremely terrible situation’.
The group made a statement asking the public to respect the privacy of the family during this “extraordinarily difficult time of loss” and to avoid from “drawing premature conclusions” about the situation.
Following a careful analysis and investigation, we will have further comments in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
The Next Time David Will Be In Court Is On March 6
After graduating from Ralph R. McKee High School, Steven enrolled at McKee-Staten Islands Technical High School, where he played junior varsity football.
They bonded with one another and had a sense of brotherhood. The older brother claimed he inadvertently shot his younger brother while playing with a silver gun, according to a source quoted by the Staten Island Advance.
And then, the insider said, he hid the gun, perhaps out of fear. At his hearing, David Estevez reportedly entered a not guilty plea and was ordered jailed without bond. The court date for his next appearance is March 6.
A decision on whether to increase the charges against him has not been made at the time of writing. The Legal Aid Organization, which is defending him, has described the fatal occurrence as “very unfortunate.”
“Out of respect for my client, the loved ones, and the community, we encourage the community to refrain from making premature judgements and to preserve the family’s privacy during this exceptionally difficult time of sorrow,” the group stated in statement.
After conducting a full study and investigation, we will have additional comments on this matter in the coming weeks, weeks, and months.
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Conclusion
The Advance stated that the murdered teenager was a student at Ralph R. McKee Vocational and Technical Education High School and a member of the junior varsity soccer team at McKee-Staten Island Tech High School.
