2 men charged in Tompkins Sq. Park shooting that killed 1, critically injured another

Police investigate shooting inside Tompkins Square Park on July 12, 2024.
Police investigate shooting inside Tompkins Square Park on July 12, 2024. Photo credit Citizen App

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Two people were arrested for the fatal shooting of a 74-year-old man in Tompkins Square Park earlier this month and the attempted murder of a 44-year-old who was left with life-threatening injuries, police said Saturday.

Angel Sardina and Rafael Macias, both 63, were each charged with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder following their arrest Thursday night.

Police said that the alleged killers were apprehended in the 9th Precinct, where the shooting took place, despite Sardina living in lower Manhattan's Two Bridges and Macias living in the Olinville section of the Bronx.

The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. on July 12 in Tompkins Square Park, near East 7th Street in the East Village.

The victims, a 74-year-old man and 44-year-old man, were both shot in the back, police said.

Police investigate shooting inside Tompkins Square Park on July 12, 2024.
Police investigate shooting inside Tompkins Square Park on July 12, 2024. Photo credit Citizen App

They were transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue where the older man, who was shot once, was pronounced dead. The younger man, who was seriously injured after being shot multiple times, was stabilized.

Police said Saturday that the identity of the deceased has not yet been determined.

According to officials, at least one of the victims was being uncooperative during the investigation.

It was not immediately clear the relationship between the alleged gunmen or the victims.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Citizen App