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Two Individuals Charged With the Murder of Harlem Teenager

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment and arraignment of TYSHAWN BROCKINGTON, 21, and ROBERT CARTAGENA, 20, on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. BROCKINGTON and CARTAGENA are charged with the shooting death of Tayshana Murphy, 18, a Harlem teen and athlete. A third defendant, TERIQUE COLLINS, 24, is charged with providing the gun to the other defendants.
“This senseless death is an example of what guns have taken from our communities,” said District Attorney Vance. “The Harlem community has tragically lost a young woman and promising athlete. Guns are too common in our streets and they are too easily available when disputes turn violent. This Office is committed to getting guns off the street and prosecuting gun-related crimes.”

According to documents filed in court and statements made on the record, in the early morning hours of September 11, 2011, CARTAGENA and BROCKINGTON were seen near the Grant Houses, a public housing project, in possession of a firearm. The defendants were overheard saying that they were going to “smoke” somebody from the Grant Houses.

Shortly afterwards, the defendants were observed walking toward one of the buildings on 3170 Broadway, an apartment building that is part of the Grant Houses. A group of individuals, including Tayshana Murphy, noticed the defendants approaching and ran into 3170 Broadway.

Tayshana Murphy ran along with one or more males to the fourth floor of 3170 Broadway and was seen opening the door to a stairwell, and saying words to the effect of, “I am not with them.” Tayshana Murphy was struck by three bullets and died from the gunshot wound to her chest.

TERIQUE COLLINS has been charged with one count of Criminal Facilitation in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. COLLINS is accused of providing the 9 mm handgun that was used by CARTAGENA in the shooting of Tayshana Murphy.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jeffrey Levinson and Tiana Walton, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Warren Murray, Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 50.


The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty


Defendant Information:

TYSHAWN BROCKINGTON, D.O.B. 1/4/1990

New York, N.Y.

Charges:

Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, two counts
Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Defendant Information:
ROBERT CARTAGENA, D.O.B. 9/21/1990

New York, N.Y.

Charges:

Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, two counts
Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count

Defendant Information:

TERIQUE COLLINS, D.O.B. 07/04/1987

Charges:

Criminal Facilitation in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count

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