Questions Remain After Machine Gun Arrest on Election Day

Police released this photo of a machine gun confiscated when two men were arrested at the Kingsbridge Road Station on Election Day November 5. -Photo courtesy of the NYPD

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

November 18, 2024 

Follow @Bronxvoice1

BRONX - Many questions remain after police announced that two men were arrested in the New York City Transit System on Election Day—One carrying a machine gun with 25 rounds of ammunition.

According to police, the incident unfolded at the Kingsbridge Road Station along the Grand Concourse at 4:30 p.m. on November 5, when officers from the 52^nd Precinct observed a trespasser inside an unauthorized area of the system.

A police source told the Bronx Voice, “Officers approached the male on the northbound platform and repeatedly requested his identification which the male refused to provide.”

The source continued, “During a brief struggle, a loaded and defaced Palmetto State Armory PA-15 firearm fell out of the male’s backpack.” During the arrest a second individual attempted to prevent the arrest and allegedly kicked an officer’s body worn camera onto the subway tracks.

Both officers suffered minor injuries and were both transported to area hospitals.

Police later charged Abraham Sosa, 20, of Fillmore Street in the Van Nest section of the borough. He was charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a machine gun, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, criminal trespass as well as an assault of a police officer.

Police also arrested Christopher Mayren, 21, of Rhinelander Avenue in Morris Park. Mayren was charged with obstruction of governmental administration, criminal mischief, aggravated harassment as well as criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny after the man was found to be in possession of an officer’s cell phone that had fallen during the scuffle with Sosa.

Meanwhile FOX News called both men “suspected migrants” as they reported that both suspects have been released from Bronx Central Booking and are currently back home. The Bronx Voice has reached out to the Bronx District Attorney’s office and the New York State Unified Court System to confirm the two suspects have been released, but they did not respond before the publication of this article.

One woman coming out of the Kingsbridge Road Station was asked if she heard about the arrest, she replied, “No, but this isn’t my usual stop.” Asked if the arrest surprised her, she responded, “No.” She added, “The MTA is what it is. I mean you win some and you lose some. I just pray for my safety every day.”

One neighbor of Mayren’s said he knew the previous owner of the home but does not see the new owners. The resident said he does see different motorcycles and scooters parked in front of the house.

Asked if he was concerned for his safety, the neighbor replied, “I have my own way to protect myself, I have the right to bear arms, so it really doesn’t concern me.”

Attempts to reach both men were unsuccessful.