Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JOSEPH MORROS, 27, for fatally shooting 30-year-old Tykeem Berry just outside of the Inwood bodega Mr. Berry had recently entered with his 10-year-old daughter. MORROS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. [1]
“The horrific shooting of Tykeem Berry so close to his young daughter shocked the Inwood community,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As alleged, Joseph Morros opened fire just outside of a busy bodega, putting the lives of his fellow New Yorkers at risk, and killing Mr. Berry. The immense toll of this shooting exemplifies why combatting gun violence and reducing the number of illegal guns on our streets remains my top priority.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on December 15, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Mr. Berry entered a bodega at the corner of Thayer Street and Nagle Avenue with his 10-year-old daughter. MORROS entered shortly afterward and began arguing with Mr. Berry. MORROS left the bodega, yelling for Mr. Berry to come outside, before running back in and pointing a gun at Mr. Berry. Mr. Berry rushed at MORROS and pushed him outside, where MORROS fired his gun – fatally striking Mr. Berry – and fled.
Assistant D.A.s Christine Keenan (Senior Trial Counsel) and Gow Mosby are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Jacob Willebeek-LeMair is assisting with the case.
Defendant Information:
JOSEPH MORROS
New York, NY
Charged:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, one count
- 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.