Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of JUSTIN SORIANO, 43, to a total of 40 years-to-life in state prison for fatally shooting and killing 31-year-old Shanice Young, his ex-girlfriend who was eight months pregnant, in Harlem in September 2021. On November 21, 2024, a New York Supreme Court jury found SORIANO guilty on all counts, including Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, among other charges. 

“Justin Soriano will serve state prison time for viciously murdering Shanice Young on what should have been a joyous and memorable occasion and celebration,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Soriano committed this horrific shooting in front of four children, including Ms. Young’s own daughters, who helplessly watched their mother die right before their eyes. The trauma Ms. Young’s family and loved ones have experienced continues to be felt today and my thoughts remain with them as they continue to heal. I hope the significant sentence imposed today serves as a measure of justice for this tragic and abhorrent act of violence.” 

As proven at trial, SORIANO and Ms. Young previously dated and lived together until they broke up. In the hours before she was killed, Ms. Young celebrated the anticipated birth of her third child with family and friends. On September 12, 2021, between 1:00 a.m. and 1:16 a.m., Ms. Young was returning to her apartment building in Harlem, near West 128th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. She was accompanied by her two daughters, ages 15 and 6, her 31-year-old male friend and his two daughters, ages 7 and 1, and her male cousin. Once they arrived, the men and her eldest daughter began unloading baby shower gifts and packages from the car while Ms. Young sat in the front passenger seat. The 1-year-old was in a car seat behind her, and the younger girls ran in and out of the building. 

Meanwhile, SORIANO arrived on Ms. Young’s block on a motorcycle, while wearing all black clothing, a face covering and latex gloves, and armed with a loaded firearm. Ms. Young’s friend entered the building and was standing in the lobby when SORIANO walked into the building, pulled out a firearm, and chased him throughout the building, causing the children to run back to the safety of the car. When Ms. Young’s male friend was able to exit the building, he ran past Ms. Young, who had exited her car, and ran toward Frederick Douglass Boulevard. 

SORIANO walked out of the building, approached Ms. Young, who was standing outside of her car where all four children had gathered inside. When Ms. Young asked SORIANO why he was doing this, SORIANO responded by repeating her question and firing three shots at her face from close range. Two of the three gunshots entered her brain, causing her to collapse to the ground. Ms. Young showed no signs of life when first responders arrived. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her baby did not survive.  

SORIANO fled the scene and went into hiding. He was arrested in the Bronx on September 16, 2021.

Assistant D.A.s Emily Ching and Elizabeth Barry handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Annie Siegel (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 60), Harrison Schweiloch (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60), Christopher Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division), and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Investigative Analyst Nehemie Eloiseau, Trial Preparation Assistant Aidan Tous, Survivor Services Bureau Counselor Nakeisha Vanterpool, former Deputy Director of HTAU David Chan, Investigator Frank Toro, former Investigator Rachel Dragos, and Assistant D.A.s Terel Watson and Brendan Mahon provided invaluable assistance in this case. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly members of the 32nd Precinct; 32nd Precinct Detective Squad, including Detective Gregory Paduano and Detective Kevin Cox; the Manhattan North Homicide Squad; Warrants Section, including retired Detective Michael Zurich; Crime Scene Unit, including Detective Monique
Bakirdjian; the 28th Precinct, including Detective Fortune Douglas.  

 

Defendant Information:
JUSTIN SORIANO
Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Menacing in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, four counts

Sentenced:

• 40 years-to-life in state prison

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