Quantcast

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

Gunman Claims He Was Paid to Assassinate Borough President Ruben Diaz: NYPD

By  Eddie Small and Ben Fractenberg | July 26, 2016 12:08pm 

 A 22-year-old man charged with criminal possession of a weapon said he was on a mission to assassinate Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., police said.
A 22-year-old man charged with criminal possession of a weapon said he was on a mission to assassinate Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., police said.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Eddie Small

CLAREMONT — A gunman arrested at the Dominican Parade on Sunday claimed to be on a mission to kill Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., according to police and the borough president's office.

Christopher Cano, a 22-year-old Bronx resident, was caught with a loaded, silver .38 caliber Amadeo Rossi pistol in his pants at 1540 Grand Concourse roughly 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, according to court documents.

He later told police he had been paid to assassinate Diaz, according to authorities, although officials believe Diaz was already at Orchard Beach at the time.

Cano was not consistent about how much money he had been paid or where that money was, according to the NYPD.

Police are continuing to investigate the case but currently do not believe that Cano's threat against Diaz is credible.

He was arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a weapon and was ordered held without bail pending a July 29 court date, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office

Cano was arrested multiple times in July on charges including turnstile hopping and trespassing, according to police and court documents.

John DeSio, communications director for Diaz, said the borough president never felt personally threatened but that Diaz appreciated the NYPD's and Bronx District Attorney's due diligence into the case.

"The Bronx is a safe place filled with amazing people and Borough President Diaz's relationship with his fellow Bronxites remains stronger than ever," DeSio said.