The New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney's Office

10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 17:33

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Man For Drive-By Murder, Car Crash And Gunpoint Robbery In Harlem

September 10, 2024
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of MOHAMED SAWANEH, 21, for killing 37-year-old Jeremy "Jeremiah" Cummings in a drive-by shooting, after which he crashed into a vehicle and committed a gunpoint robbery while he attempted to flee the scene in Harlem. SAWANEH is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, among other charges. He is also charged with two counts of Robbery in the First Degree. [1]

"As alleged, Mohamed Sawaneh committed a deadly, broad daylight shooting and committed multiple additional, serious crimes in the span of minutes," said District Attorney Bragg. "This alleged, vicious conduct put several people at risk of being harmed and tragically took the life of Jeremy Cummings, a friendly sports lover. My thoughts are with Mr. Cummings' family and loved ones during this difficult time."

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on July 2, 2024, at approximately 1:39 p.m., SAWANEH was driving his car in Harlem. As SAWANEH drove the car by West 118th Street and 8th Avenue, he rolled down the front passenger side window and fired shots towards a group of men, striking Mr. Cummings in the torso. Mr. Cummings dragged himself behind a vehicle, where he collapsed. The other individuals ran away for safety. Mr. Cummings was eventually transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Following the shooting, SAWANEH drove off in his car. He crashed into a vehicle, which was stopped at a stoplight, near West 118th Street between Saint Nicholas and 7th Avenues. The crash injured the 61-year-old driver of the vehicle.

Abandoning his vehicle, SAWANEH fled on foot. A few minutes later, he noticed a 13-year-old boy on a Citi Bike, near West 118th Street and Lenox Avenue. SAWANEH approached the boy, displayed a firearm and demanded he turnover the bike. SAWANEH fled the scene, riding the bike.

SAWANEH eventually fled to Ohio but was intercepted by police officers when he returned to a bus terminal in Chinatown. He was arrested on August 13, 2024.

A court-authorized search warrant was executed on SAWANEH's phone and it was discovered that he had taken pictures of the group of men several minutes before he shot at them.

Assistant D.A.s Dasha Kabakova and Dylan Los Huertos are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Audrey Blumenstock and Digital Evidence Analyst Anastasia Trico are providing valuable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Michael Montalvo of the 28th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Brendan Bradly of the Warrants Squad.

Defendant Information:

MOHAMED SAWANEH

Bronx, NY

Charged:

  • Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
  • Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
  • Leaving the Scene of an Incident without Reporting, with Personal Injury, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.