Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the indictment of JOSE RODRIGUEZ, 54, for attempting to shoot his 38-year-old ex-girlfriend and killing her 19-year-old nephew, Ramon Alvarez, in East Harlem last month. RODRIGUEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts each of Murder in the Second Degree, Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He is additionally charged with one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. [1]

“Jose Rodriguez allegedly fired shots towards his ex-girlfriend and her nephew, tragically taking Mr. Alvarez’s life – a young dad-to-be who was awaiting the birth of his child this month,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My sincerest condolences go out to the victim and the rest of Mr. Alvarez’s family and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. Our dedicated prosecutors are working hard to pursue full accountability in this case.”   

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on April 10, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., RODRIGUEZ went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in NYCHA’s Jefferson Houses, near East 112th Street and 3rd Avenue. While inside the apartment, he argued with his ex-girlfriend, and she eventually demanded that he leave. Hearing the commotion, Mr. Alvarez tried intervening in the dispute. At approximately 3:20 a.m., RODRIGUEZ took out a firearm and shot Mr. Alvarez, striking his abdomen.

RODRIGUEZ then aimed and fired a shot towards his ex-girlfriend, grazing her shoulder. Mr. Alvarez was transported to Harlem Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He was pronounced dead later that day.

RODRIGUEZ fled the scene. He was arrested the next day in the Bronx. While police officers attempted to arrest him, RODRIGUEZ tried to run away, discarding a firearm.

Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division) is handling the prosecution of this case along with Assistant D.A.s Austin Minogue and Charlotte Armour (Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) with assistance from Assistant D.A.s Vanessa Puzio, Katelyn Flatley and Sara Weiss (Deputy Chiefs of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) and Nicole Blumberg (Chief of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau). Investigative Analyst Eva Nikitovic (Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) is also providing valuable assistance.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Police Officer Tyesha McCloud and Detective William Dunn of the 23rd Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Joseph Rivera of the Regional Fugitive Task Force.        

Defendant Information:
JOSE RODRIGUEZ
New York, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, two counts
• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.