BMW Driver, 26, Shot Dead in Apparent Botched Robbery in NYC

Victim was stopped in his car near New York Botanical Garden when three suspects approached and opened fire

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in what appears to have been a botched robbery attempt while he was sitting in his BMW in the Pelham Parkway neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. Three suspects in all-black clothing approached the victim's vehicle around 12:20 a.m. and opened the door before opening fire, striking the victim in the chest. The suspects then fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim mortally wounded. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing problem of violent crime and robberies in New York City, particularly in neighborhoods like Pelham Parkway which have seen elevated levels of property and violent crime in recent years. The brazen nature of the attack, with suspects approaching the victim's vehicle directly, also raises concerns about public safety and the ability of law enforcement to curb such incidents.

The details

According to police, the three suspects in all-black clothing approached the victim's BMW, which was stopped on Thwaites Place near Barker Avenue, and opened the door. They then opened fire, striking the 26-year-old driver in the chest. The suspects then fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim mortally wounded. He was transported to Jacobi Medical Center where he later died from his injuries. It remains unclear if the suspects knew the victim or if this was a random attack.

  • The incident occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Victim

A 26-year-old male driver who was fatally shot while sitting in his BMW in the Pelham Parkway neighborhood of the Bronx.

Three Suspects

Three unidentified male suspects who approached the victim's vehicle in all-black clothing, opened the door, and opened fire, striking the victim in the chest before fleeing the scene on foot.

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What’s next

Police are actively investigating the incident and searching for the three suspects who fled the scene. The victim's identity has not yet been released pending notification of family members.

The takeaway

This tragic shooting underscores the ongoing challenges New York City faces in combating violent crime, particularly in neighborhoods that have historically seen higher rates of property and violent offenses. It also raises questions about public safety and the ability of law enforcement to prevent such brazen attacks on innocent civilians.