NEW YORK, NY – A significant breakthrough has been made in a double homicide investigation that has haunted the Westfarms neighborhood for months. The arrest of 20-year-old Jalen Wagner brings some relief to the local community, who have been living in fear since the tragic events unfolded.
After a prolonged seven-month investigation, authorities have detained Wagner, charging him with multiple offenses, including two counts of murder. The incidents, which occurred at East 176th Street and Mohican Avenue, left residents on edge. One local, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recalls witnessing Wagner flee the scene on a bicycle after one of the shootings. The witness, still visibly shaken, described the chilling moment as surreal.
The first victim, 28-year-old Sharif El-Farisi, was brutally killed during a botched robbery attempt on July 23. El-Farisi was returning home from work when he was gunned down just before 3 a.m. The second victim, 39-year-old Ramon Martinez, was discovered dead in his RV with multiple gunshot wounds to the head less than a week later, on July 29. Martinez’s family, devastated by the loss, continues to mourn deeply.
Martinez’s brother, who chose to conceal his identity, expressed the family’s ongoing grief, describing the profound void left by his brother’s untimely death. Martinez was a beloved figure in the community, known for his unwavering willingness to lend a hand to those in need. In his memory, a makeshift memorial now stands where his RV was once parked, overlooking the Cross Bronx Expressway.
Despite Wagner’s arrest, the community remains on edge. Martinez’s brother voiced his determination to see justice served, stating that true peace will only come when the legal process concludes. The suspect is expected to make a court appearance next month, where the families of both victims hope to find some closure.
As the case progresses, the neighborhood holds its breath, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to heal and move forward. The arrest marks a critical step in that journey, but the emotional scars left by the violence will take time to mend.