Bronx man charged with murdering 61-year-old bystander in Harlem shootout, NYPD says

A 23-year-old man from the Bronx turned himself in to authorities Monday and was charged with murdering a 61-year-old bystander who was fatally shot in Harlem after she stepped out of her building to check on her grandson last week, police said.

Police charged Ricky Shelby with murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon. According to NYPD officials, Shelby was previously charged with weapons possession in 2020.

Prosecutors said he will be held in jail until his grand jury indictment is unsealed at a later date.

In a text message, Shelby’s lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, said he will comment further “after reviewing certain videos and conducting interviews of witnesses who I believe are in a position to shed some real light on this tragedy.”

Excenia Mette was killed in a shootout near Malcolm X Boulevard and West 113th Street around 10:20 p.m. last Tuesday, police said. She had left her building to look for her grandson after hearing a commotion on the street, according to officials.

Mette was a well-known community figure and member of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by longtime activist Al Sharpton, state Sen. Cordell Cleare of Harlem said in a statement last week. Speaking last Wednesday on the block where Mette was killed, Mayor Eric Adams said the incident demonstrated a “level of senseless violence and total disregard for safety.”

Police previously arrested and charged 23-year-old Harlem resident Darious Smith with firearm possession in connection with the shooting, NYPD Capt. James Whitlock said last Wednesday. Three people had a verbal dispute on the street before they shot at each other, Whitlock said at the time.

This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and may be updated.