Police at a homicide scene
Two NYC Murders Mark the Beginning of 2025
Police said the first two NYC murders of 2025 occurred early on Wednesday morning, with a man fatally slashed in Harlem and another man gunned down in the Bronx.
First Homicide: Man Fatally Slashed in Harlem
The first homicides, police sources said, occurred at about 4:21 a.m. on January 1 near the corner of West 137th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem.
Officers from the 32nd Precinct discovered an unidentified man at the location with a slash wound to his neck. EMS rushed the victim to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
During the preliminary investigation, police sources said, officers took a person of interest, identified as a 39-year-old man, into custody for further questioning. Charges are pending at this time.
The motive for the homicide is unknown and under investigation.
Second Homicide: Man Shot Dead in the Bronx
An hour later, authorities said, a man was shot dead at an apartment building at 364 East 170th Street, across the street from the Bronx’s Claremont Park, at about 5:23 a.m. on January 1.
Officers from the 44th Precinct, in responding to a 911 call regarding a shooting, found 46-year-old Mario Fowler, who lived at the East 170th Street residence, inside the building with multiple gunshots to both legs.
EMS rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where Fowler was pronounced dead a short time later.
During the investigation, police were alerted to the discovery of a second victim, a 23-year-old man with a graze wound to his chin, in front of 1420 Clay Avenue. EMS rushed him to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition.
Police later learned that both Fowler and the other man were wounded in a shooting outside the East 170th Street apartment building. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and no arrests have yet been made in the case.
NYPD Statistics
As of December 29, 2024, the NYPD reported 375 murders year-to-date in 2024, a 3.8% decrease from the 390 homicides reported at the same point in 2023. The 32nd Precinct had nine homicides in 2024, down from 11 at the same point in 2023.
The 44th Precinct tallied 16 murders in 2024, one more than the year-to-date total in 2023. Shootings were up slightly with 45 incidents, one more than the previous year’s total.
Conclusion
The start of the new year has seen two tragic homicides in NYC. As the city continues to grapple with violence, police urge anyone with information regarding either case to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.
FAQs
Q: What were the circumstances surrounding the two homicides?
A: The first homicide involved a man who was fatally slashed in Harlem, while the second homicide involved a man who was shot dead in the Bronx.
Q: How many homicides occurred in NYC in 2024?
A: According to NYPD statistics, there were 375 murders year-to-date in 2024, a 3.8% decrease from the 390 homicides reported at the same point in 2023.
Q: Can I provide information regarding the homicides?
A: Yes, you can provide information to Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Q: What is the current status of the investigations?
A: The investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Charges are pending in the first homicide, and no arrests have yet been made in the second homicide.
