Bronx Man Charged With Murder After Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest in Fatal Little Yemen Shooting
-Photo by David Greene
By Dave Greene
Bronx Voice
August 4, 2026
BRONX, NY - A routine traffic stop in the Bronx led to the arrest of a man now facing murder charges in connection with a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 50-year-old man in Little Yemen, investigators said.
According to police, Jose Kuilan, 47, has been charged with murder, manslaughter, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and failing to use signal lights following the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Trojan Hart on Monday morning.
According to police, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man shot at approximately 6:02 a.m. on August 3, outside 672 Sagamore Street in the Van Nest section of the Bronx.
By the time officers arrived, Hart was found outside Ramos Twin Auto Sales, located at 665 Sagamore Street at the corner of Birchall Avenue in the borough's Little Yemen neighborhood.
An NYPD official said, "Police responded to a 911 call of a male shot. Upon arrival, officers observed a 50-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds about the body. EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene."
Hart was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the shooting, detectives and patrol officers cordoned off the intersection with crime scene tape and police vehicles as investigators searched for evidence.
A severe thunderstorm moved through the area while officers processed the scene. Police reportedly covered both the victim and his moped with a large purple tarp, apparently to help preserve evidence from the rain.
Witnesses observed the victim slumped over the moped, with one leg visible beneath the tarp as investigators documented the scene.
At the time, police said no arrests had been made and described the investigation as ongoing.
Hours later, at around noon, Kuilan was stopped by officers on Eastchester Road after allegedly failing to use his turn signal during a traffic stop.
According to police, officers spotted marijuana inside the vehicle and arrested Kuilan on drug possession charges. As the investigation continued, detectives connected him to the fatal shooting earlier that morning.
He was subsequently charged with:
* Murder
* Manslaughter
* Criminal Possession of a Weapon (two counts)
* Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (two counts)
* Failure to Use Signal Lights
Police have not publicly released a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline. All tips can be provided anonymously.
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