Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the guilty plea of JONATHAN MORALES, 39, for fatally shooting 18-year-old Eliahs Brazoban on the Lower East Side in June 2023. MORALES pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to one count of Murder in the Second Degree. Under the terms of his plea, he is expected to be sentenced to 20 years-to-life in state prison on November 20, 2026

“Jonathan Morales murdered Eliahs Brazoban in a brutal, premeditated attack on a Manhattan sidewalk,” said District Attorney Bragg. “It is particularly heartbreaking when our young people are victims of gun violence. Mr. Brazoban was a beloved son, brother, and friend whose bright future was tragically cut short. Behind every homicide is a person whose life mattered, and today’s guilty plea ensures accountability for this horrific shooting.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on June 25, 2023, MORALES targeted the victim due to an alleged underlying conflict pertaining to someone close to him. Approximately an hour and a half prior to the shooting, MORALES rode an e-bike past Mr. Brazoban, who was near Clinton and Delancey Streets. MORALES then parked his e-bike near a median by the Williamsburg Bridge and watched Mr. Brazoban’s whereabouts.

As Mr. Brazoban exited a smoke shop and began walking, MORALES trailed behind him on his e-bike. As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, at approximately 12:50 a.m., as Mr. Brazoban turned near Ridge and Rivington Streets, MORALES approached and fired shots at him. Mr. Brazoban was able to walk to a nearby store, where he collapsed. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.

MORALES fled the scene. He was arrested on September 22, 2023.

Assistant D.A.s Christine Keenan and Candance White are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Paralegal John Floria and Analyst Patrick Sullivan are providing invaluable assistance in this case. Former Paralegals Abigail Hartz and Troy McLean also assisted in the prosecution.

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department (NYPD), particularly Detective Patrick Lynaugh, Retired Detective Joseph Cohen, as well as other detectives and police officers from the 7th Precinct and the Manhattan South Homicide Squad.

Defendant Information:

JONATHAN MORALES

New York, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

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