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Donte Pace of Mount Vernon was arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court for first-degree manslaughter and was remanded to the Westchester County Jail without bail.
Third-precinct officers were on patrol in a marked vehicle when they were flagged down by a group of individuals in the area of Elm Street and Walnut Street just before 5 p.m. on Oct. 18, police said.
The officers observed a male victim lying on the sidewalk in front of 198 Elm Street. The victim was unresponsive and bleeding from an apparent wound to his torso, according to police.
Officers contacted the Communications Division for medical assistance and members of the Yonkers Police Department Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and Empress Ambulance personnel arrived at the scene. ESU members and Empress Ambulance personnel immediately started CPR on the victim and continued to provide first aid as he was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment.
At approximately 5:45 p.m. Oct. 18, the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. The victim was identified as James D. Puryear, a 24-year-old Yonkers resident.
Members of the Yonkers Police Department Detective Division Major Case Squad began an immediate investigation into the incident.
Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses, collected and processed crime scene evidence, canvassed for surveillance video, and examined numerous leads. The culmination of their efforts was Friday's apprehension of Pace in Mount Vernon.
“It is due to the hard work and dedication of our detectives and officers that a violent individual has been removed from our communities, once again demonstrating the professionalism of the Yonkers Police Department and our resolve to ensure the safety of our City and bring criminals to justice," Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said.
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