CONCOURSE — The accused killer of a 14-year-old boy on his way to school pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon in court on Tuesday, according to The Bronx District Attorney's office.
Travis Bloch, 28, is suspected of having shot and killed Christopher Duran outside of his apartment building at 1181 Sheridan Ave. on May 22 as the teen was on his way to school.
Bloch and suspect Jeremiah Thomas ambushed Duran in front of the building, and Bloch is accused of firing more than six shots at the teenager at close range with a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, prosecutors charge.
He was caught near Binghamton, N.Y., a month after the shooting, while Thomas was caught in Pennsylvania on Monday night and will be extradited to The Bronx to face charges, according to the DA.
An indictment against Bloch on murder, manslaughter and weapon charges in Duran's death was unsealed on Tuesday, and he was also indicted on charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon for the May 16 shooting of Jorge Ortiz, according to the DA's office.
After hearing the charges against him at his arraignment in mid-June, Bloch fainted in the courtroom, authorities said.
Bloch was ordered held without bail and is due back in court on Oct. 6. He faces a sentence of 50 years to life in prison if he is convicted.
