BRONX, N.Y. — A man has been indicted for second-degree murder in connection with the death of a Bronx resident who was attacked while sleeping on the sidewalk, the Bronx District Attorney announced.
Jorell Shoals, 37, was arraigned on September 18, on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera. Shoals was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on December 19.
The incident occurred on June 23, around 11 p.m. in front of 526 Willis Avenue. According to the investigation, Shoals allegedly ran up to Ramon Cruz, 54, who was asleep on the sidewalk, and repeatedly punched him in the head. The attack caused Cruz’s head to strike the ground.
Cruz was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where he later suffered seizures and fell into a coma. He died on July 17, 2024, from injuries related to blunt force trauma.
