Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Man Shot in Leg After Taunting Washington Heights Resident, Police Say

By Carolina Pichardo | February 24, 2016 11:57am
 David Polanco, 31, shot the 50-year-old victim on Saturday, Feb. 20, police said.  
David Polanco, 31, shot the 50-year-old victim on Saturday, Feb. 20, police said.  
View Full Caption
Shutterstock

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A man has been charged with attempted murder for shooting a man in the leg in the lobby of a West 172nd Street building after years of taunting by the victim, authorities said.

David Polanco, 31, shot the 50-year-old man in the right leg after an argument inside the lobby of 575 W. 172nd St. on Saturday, the NYPD said.

Polanco said he confronted two men, including the victim, who were drinking in the lobby at approximately 8:30 p.m. to complain about the noise they were making when the men started taunting him and calling him names, police said. It was not clear what the victim said to Polanco, though the taunting had been ongoing for five years, the NYPD added. 

When Polanco's mother stepped outside of their apartment, he thought the victim — who does not live in the building but was visiting friends there — was going to hit her with a beer bottle he was holding, police and sources said.

Polanco then pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his sweatshirt pocket and shot the victim on the upper right thigh before going back into the apartment, police said.

The victim called 911, and when officers arrived at the scene, Polanco stepped outside the apartment and said, “I did it. I shot him," according to police and the criminal complaint. He also told officers where the gun was, inside a can behind the apartment door, before they took him into custody, police and the complaint said. 

Polanco was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, the DA said.

His bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond, the DA said. His next court date is set for Friday, Feb. 26.

Polanco's lawyer did not return a request for comment.