D.A. Bragg Announces Hate Crime Indictment In Anti-Gay Shooting At Harlem Deli

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of THEODORE TUCKER, 30, for allegedly shooting a 23-year-old man in an anti-gay attack in front of a Harlem deli in July 2026. TUCKER is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts each of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Attempted Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. [1]

"Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe and be treated with respect, without fear of harm simply for being who they are," said District Attorney Bragg. "Theodore Tucker allegedly escalated hateful words into senseless gun violence, targeting an innocent stranger because of his sexual orientation. These allegations are deeply troubling, and my thoughts remain with the victim as he continues to recover from his significant injuries."

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on July 18, 2026, TUCKER was hanging out with associates in the vicinity of a deli, near West 139th Street and Lenox Avenue.

At approximately 3:59 a.m., the 23-year-old man arrived in front of the deli in a car. After exiting the passenger side and walking towards the deli, TUCKER allegedly approached him and made an anti-gay remark. When the man repeated the remark at TUCKER and advanced toward the entrance of the deli, TUCKER allegedly pointed a firearm and shot him in the back.

The victim entered the deli and attempted to call 911. An alleged associate of TUCKER is separately charged in a Criminal Court complaint for allegedly following the victim into the deli, telling the victim not to call 911, and standing in a fighting stance in front of the door in an attempt to prevent him from contacting law enforcement or leaving.

The victim was eventually able to exit the deli and went to the hospital for treatment of his gunshot wound.

TUCKER was arrested on August 8, 2026.

Assistant D.A. Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Assistant D.A. Katherine McEnroe (Trial Bureau 70) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Hate Crimes Investigative Analysts Julie Anne Lim, Caleb Brown, Anoushka Aurora, Annabel Wheeler, and Fatima Ahmad are providing assistance in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department (NYPD), particularly Police Officer Jimmy Infanzon (32nd Precinct Detective Squad), Police Officer Marvel Kingston (32nd Precinct Detective Squad), Police Officer George Bravo (32nd Precinct Detective Squad), Sergeant Matthew Erbetta (32nd Precinct), and Police Officer Miguel Ignes Gonzalez (32nd Precinct).

Defendant Information:

THEODORE TUCKER

New York, NY

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, two counts
• Attempted Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.