After a four-year manhunt, police have finally captured a suspect wanted for drug dealing and the fatal shooting of a man in Harlem, as well as the wounding of two others. The mother of the deceased can finally find some peace now that the suspect is in custody.
After hearing that there was an arrest in the case of her 27-year-old son Christopher Allen, Tasha Allen, his mother, expressed her relief by saying, “My life can go on, Lord Jesus.”
On January 23, 2020, Allen was unfortunately hit in the back by gunfire that erupted near W. 135th St. and Riverside Drive around 2 p.m. Despite being quickly taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia, he could not be saved.
According to Allen’s mother, her grandchildren, who are currently between the ages of 5 and 11, cry every day over their father’s death. She also mentioned that Allen was known for being a reliable and comforting friend, always available to lend an ear.
After the slaying, the authorities named Darlin Martinez as the suspect three months later and requested the public’s assistance in locating him. The police stated that he was known to frequent areas such as the Bronx Terminal Market, Grand Concourse, and Yankee Stadium while intensifying their search efforts. To aid in his capture, a $2,500 reward was offered to anyone with information that could lead to his arrest.
On Wednesday, the 30th Precinct announced the arrest of the suspect responsible for a shooting that deeply rattled West Harlem. The precinct tweeted that the incident had shaken the community to its core.
Allen’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying “I’m grateful,” and eagerly anticipated the court proceedings.
Officials have announced that Martinez, 26, was finally apprehended in Inwood on Tuesday. He is facing charges of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, gun possession, and having a gun near a school.
Allen confronted the person and asked if they had a conscience, a heart, or any remorse for their actions. Their behavior had caused Allen great pain and hurt.
According to the police, the second victim was rushed to St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital with gunshots wounds in his chest and leg following the triple shooting incident. The victim, a 26-year-old man, was unfortunately left paralyzed, as reported by Allen’s relatives to the Daily News.
A man who was 27 years old went to the hospital with a wound in his leg. The hospital in question was the same one mentioned earlier.
According to a police source, the altercation that led to the shooting started with an argument about a brown Audi sedan that was parked diagonally in the middle of the street.
Tasha Allen, a preacher in a church where her son played drums, expressed her disbelief at the unfortunate circumstances that led to her son’s death. “He was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” she said, adding that she knew her son well and was certain that he did not go there looking for trouble.
According to the authorities, Martinez was captured on camera shooting at a group of individuals, which included Allen.
According to police, when they finally apprehended him on Tuesday, he denied being Darlin Martinez and provided the name Alejandro Lopez instead. He claimed to be homeless at the time of his arrest.
Authorities have charged Martinez with a slew of crimes, including attempted murder and assault for his involvement in the shooting of two victims who survived. Additionally, he has been charged with selling drugs and false impersonation for providing police officers with a fake name.
Tasha Allen is desperate for answers about why her son was shot when he wasn’t even confronting anyone. “Why did he shoot my son if he wasn’t even in his face?” she asks. She is well aware of the dangers of the streets, but her son was innocent. She can’t help but wonder, why did it happen?
According to authorities, Martinez was taken into custody in January 2019 on charges of drug possession and drug sales, approximately a year before the shooting occurred.
He was waiting for his arraignment on the charges of murder in Manhattan Criminal Supreme Court on Wednesday.
