Man Arrested for University Heights Murder

A passerby stops to look at a makeshift memorial in front of the Bronx home of Juan Acosta at 61 East 182nd Street, July...

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DNAinfo/Chelsia Rose Marcius

THE BRONX — A 21-year-old Bronx man was arrested Thursday in connection with a University Heights murder, police say.

Howard Howard, of University Heights, allegedly shot Juan Acosta once in the head and once in the torso outside 2264 Davidson Ave. about 4:40 p.m. Monday, police said.

Acosta, 21, was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"He was a good person. He wasn't a troublemaker," said Jonathan, 25, who identified himself as Acosta's cousin and declined to give his last name.

The distraught cousin told DNAinfo.com New York that he and Acosta, an avid Yankees fan, grew up playing baseball in the neighborhood.

"When I think of the memories," Jonathan added, "I start crying."

Howard, who has no criminal record, was charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon and held without bail.

It's not clear what sparked the bloodshed.

Juan Acosta, 21, was shot and killed in The Bronx outside 2264 Davidson Ave. Monday afternoon, the NYPD said

DNAinfo/Chelsia Rose Marcius