Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Lower East Side Shooting, DA Says

NEW YORK CITY — A 39-year-old man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old man in The Lower East Side in 2023.

Jonathan Morales has been to sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison beginning on Nov. 20.

According to court documents, Morales targeted Eliahs Brazoban over an alleged conflict involving someone close to him.

On June 25, 2023, Morales rode an e-bike past Brazoban near Clinton and Delancey streets before parking near the Williamsburg Bridge and watching the teen’s movements.

About an hour and a half later, Morales followed Brazoban on his e-bike after he left a smoke shop. At 12:50 a.m., Morales approached Brazoban near Ridge and Rivington streets and fired several shots, according to prosecutors.

Brazoban managed to walk to a nearby store, where he collapsed.

He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead from a gunshot wound. Morales fled the scene and was arrested on Sept. 22, 2023.