D.A. Bragg Announces Murder Charges Against Man who Fatally Shot Mom’s Ex-Partner


November 3, 2022

Tomas Dunn Allegedly Ambushed his Mother’s Ex-Partner Following an Altercation

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of TOMAS DUNN, 22, for committing a premeditated, execution-style murder of his mother’s ex-partner following an altercation in Harlem. DUNN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.[1]
 
“This was a non-sensical and horrific execution-style murder of a father of two,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We will continue to use every lever possible to prevent gun violence. I thank our prosecutors who share the unwavering commitment to holding those responsible for these crimes fully accountable for their actions.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on September 30, 2022, DUNN was captured on video initiating a physical altercation with the victim, Saladeen Cochrane, 41, who had dated DUNN’s mother years ago. Afterwards, DUNN is seen on video walking with two friends, one of whom was wearing a thick vest. DUNN then takes the vest off his friend and puts it on himself for protection.

DUNN then circled the block to find Cochrane, who was walking to his mother’s apartment with another person, in order to ambush him. He stopped directly in front of Cochrane and shouted before pulling out a gun and shooting at least eight times. Cochrane was shot in the back of the head and was pronounced dead at the hospital. After the shooting, DUNN ran to his mother’s apartment building on St Nicholas Avenue, still wearing the vest. A warrant was issued for DUNN’s arrest and NYPD executed a search warrant at his mother’s house, recovering the vest. He eventually surrendered to police.
 
Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Bogdanos and Mary Ellen Nocero (Trial Bureau 50) and Supervising Investigative Analyst Nicole Drosinos are handling the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).  

D.A. Bragg also thanked Detective Carlos Thomas of the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad.

Defendant Information: 
TOMAS DUNN
New York, New York
 
Charged:

  • Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

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