A 58-year-old Jamaican man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his niece in the Bronx, New York, on Monday night.
Michael Foster was arrested and charged on Wednesday with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon in relation to the killing of 39-year-old Julia Anderson, whose parents are Jamaican.
According to police, Anderson was inside her Jeep Grand Cherokee near Murdock Avenue in the Wakefield section of the Bronx shortly before midnight when she was shot twice in the chest. Emergency responders rushed her to Jacobi Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the shooting.
Anderson, who lived in Mount Vernon with her mother, was reportedly driving home from work when the attack occurred. She worked caring for people with disabilities and was described by relatives as a hardworking and compassionate woman.
Police initially believed the gunfire may have come from someone riding a moped after witnesses reported seeing one speeding away from the scene. However, investigators have not confirmed whether the rider was the shooter or simply fleeing the area.
Officers recovered two shell casings at the scene as part of their investigation.
Speaking to local media, Anderson’s mother, Beverly Patterson, said she was informed of her daughter’s death by her younger daughter.
“My heart felt like it was going to come out,” Patterson said, recalling the devastating moment she received the news.
She added that Anderson normally arrived home around midnight after work.
“Usually when she comes home I hear some kind of little noise. That’s how I know she is home. But then I was wondering what happened,” Patterson said.
Loved ones said Anderson was just one month away from celebrating her 40th birthday.
Update: JCF Names Person of Interest in Death of New York Woman in Jamaica
