Mother's Mural for son a Reminder to NYPD's 'Cold Case' Detectives
A grieving mother hopes this mural of her son Hendrick "Henney" Wynaar will remind the NYPD that his Halloween, 2021 murder on Adee Avenue remains unsolved. -Photo by David Greene
By David Greene
Bronx Voice
September 26, 2022
BRONX - A mural unveiling was held in the shadow of Bronx Community College as friends and family attempted to celebrate a young man's birthday-- but the lasting mural protected by plexiglass is a stark reminder to the NYPD to solve the case that has gone cold for nearly a year.
According to police, Hendrick "Henney" Wynaar, 22, was one of three people shot at just before 1 a.m. on October 31, 2021, outside a private home at 951 Adee Avenue, between Radcliff Avenue and Colden Avenue, on the Allerton / Olinville border. At the time police reported a 22-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound to the head, an 18-year-old male was hit in the left leg and a 69-year-old female suffered a graze wound to her right leg and was treated at the scene.
Wynaar died at Jacobi Hospital on Monday, November 1.
Mural artist Kenny Alttidor of Canarsie, Brooklyn, often does murals for the NYPD and FDNY, when he was contacted by the victim's mother Nicole Wynaar, who asked if he could paint a mural of her son for and unveiling held on what would have been his 23rd birthday. Alttidor was given a photograph of the young man and he created a larger-than-life profile of the expressionless young man.
The unveiling was held outside of the E & B Laundromat at the corner of West Burnside Avenue and Hennessey Place, in University Heights 'where the Wynaar's had lived and many of the young man's friends showed up to pay their respects.
Moments before the unveiling, Nicole Wynaar told those who had gathered, "Today is my son's 23rd birthday. Last year we were together. I called him, wished him happy birthday... today... today. And to unveil a mural instead, that's not what I wanted to do for Hennick's birthday. I just need to get justice because Hennick is good."
Choking back tears, the mother continued, "I just need the police to do more and I just want the mayor to help me get justice for my son. I'm begging him, please, help me because my son deserves justice. I am tired every day to see another mother crying, gotta bury her son, her children. I miss my son very much and I don't want to do this anymore. I'm just tired... of crying."
Before a tarp was pulled down and the mural unveiled, friends sang "Happy Birthday" for Hendrick Wynaar. After the unveiling Nicole Wynaar and her surviving son and Hendrick's friends had cake with Hendrick's picture on top.
Longtime friend Ashley Perez said Hendrick was not only her "best friend," but recalled how the young man once saved her nephew's life. Perez explained, "My nephew was having a seizure and my sister went outside and Hendrick heard her and came inside and saved my nephew's life."
A source at 1 Police Plaza told the Bronx Voice that the case is not cold and in fact remains, "an open investigation." Days after the shooting the NYPD had released a poor quality surveillance video where three individuals are seen getting out of a vehicle and firing at the three victims.
Anyone with any information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.
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