BAREFOOT ATTACKER BEATS MAN AFTER HE TRIES TO SNEAK INTO BUILDING

Armanis Valdez, 17, was fatally shot in 2021 when rival gangs shot it out in a McDonald's parking lot. Valdez was a bystander who was among a group of people who showed up to watch a rap video being filmed when he was shot. 

By Dan Gesslein 

Bronx Voice 

September 11, 2023 

BRONX - The man who fatally shot a Bronx teen who was among a crowd of people hoping to see the filming of a rap video, will spend the next 13 years in prison, prosecutors said. 

Luis Cruz, 21, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and five years post-release supervision in the death of 17-year-old Armanis Valdez. The teen was among a crowd of people who had gone to Clay Avenue and Belmont Street to watch a rap video being filmed in a McDonald’s parking lot. 

At around 9 pm on May 15, as the crowd watched the filming, two groups of rival gangs showed up and started shooting. Five people were shot, caught in the crossfire. Valdez was fatally shot in the chest at the scene. Investigators would later trace the fatal bullet to Cruz’ .380 caliber handgun. 

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“Rival gang members showed up at the filming of a music video at a McDonald’s and exchanged gunfire,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “Five people were shot, including a 17-year-old boy who died from his wounds. The defendant fired the fatal shot. This happened in 2021, as we saw the most shootings in 25 years and more teens were ensnared in gun violence. We remain resolute in making our streets safer and steering our youth from gang culture.” 

Prosecutors said members of the ATR Trinitarios gang, which Cruz was a member of, and the Shooting Boys exchanged gunfire in the McDonald’s parking lot in Claremont. 

On May 30, Cruz pled guilty to first degree Manslaughter.