Purse snatching arrest leads to charges in teen's murder outside Bronx deli

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Purse snatching arrest leads to charges in Bronx deli murder
Marquis Beckford, 22, was taken into custody after allegedly stealing the handbag from the front seat of a taxi operated by a 60-year-old woman

MORRISANIA, The Bronx (WABC) -- An arrest in a purse snatching incident Monday led to charges in the murder of a 16-year-old outside a Bronx deli earlier this month, police said Tuesday.

Marquis Beckford, 22, was taken into custody after allegedly stealing the handbag from the front seat of a taxi operated by a 60-year-old woman, outside 980 Trinity Avenue.

The officers who caught the suspect quickly recognized him from the previously released video from the deli shooting, in which James Solano was fatally shot in the neck.

MORE NEWS: Woman falsely accuses Black teen of stealing phone in New York City hotel lobby

The encounter was caught on video and has since gone viral, prompting accusations of racial profiling and injustice.

Police say Beckford had the gun used in that shooting still in his possession.

Security camera video showed the gunman pat Solano on his shoulder and walk away.

Moments later, he pulled out the gun and fired one shot.

Beckford, who police say knew Solano, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.

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A father has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with the murder of his daughter, officials announced Tuesday.

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