New York City – A tragic incident unfolded in Soho when a 16-year-old “peacemaker” was fatally shot by a teen gunman who arrived at the scene in a Citi Bike basket. The shooter, identified as Henry Thomas, was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in Manhattan Criminal Court following the murder of Makhi Brown on May 7. Brown was gunned down just half a block away from the charter school he attended.
According to court documents, Thomas was captured on camera wearing distinctive black Air Jordans with red and yellow trim as he got into the Citi Bike basket before the shooting. The criminal complaint stated that when the bike arrived in Urban Plaza between Spring Street and Dominick Street, the shooter stepped out of the basket and fired a handgun three times, ultimately killing Brown.
Brown, who was trying to mediate between two fighting groups, was shot once in the back of the head and twice in the leg. Authorities were able to identify Thomas by the sneakers seen in the video footage, which were found at his Upper East Side home.
During his arraignment, Thomas appeared in court wearing gray sweatpants and white high top sneakers with black trim. He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and the NYPD following the identification and is currently being held without bail at Rikers Island correctional facility.
At the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Gina Nerone accused Thomas of executing the 16-year-old high school student by shooting him in the head. Defense attorney Adam Freedman objected to the use of the word “executed,” but Judge Marisol Martinez-Alonso allowed Nerone to continue her statement.
If convicted, Thomas faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life and a maximum of 25 years to life. Makhi Brown, who played on a basketball team affiliated with the NYPD 67th Precinct Clergy Council, was known for his commitment to non-violence as a member of “The GodSquad.”
Friends and family of Thomas expressed their support for him as he was taken to Rikers Island, shouting words of love as he left the courtroom. The tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of gun violence in communities.