Arrest After Second Murder Attempt: Yonkers Police

A man who police say shot at someone on two occasions has been charged with attempted murder, the Yonkers Police Department announced. The first time, Jan. 14, he missed entirely, police allege. The second time, he injured his target severely.

Detectives from the Major Case Squad and Crime Scene Unit responded to both scenes, interviewing subjects, canvassing for witnesses and surveillance video, and processing forensic and ballistic evidence. An intensive investigation led to the apprehension and arrest on Tuesday of James McNair, a 23-year-old resident of 127 Webster Ave., Yonkers. McNair is alleged to have perpetrated two recent shooting incidents in the City of Yonkers, in both instances targeting the same victim, a 29-year-old Yonkers man.

Police say McNair and the victim knew each other, and the shootings were the result of a dispute that escalated to violence.

“This defendant is accused of trying to shoot and kill a resident of Yonkers, not once but twice. His violent and criminal behavior posed a deadly threat to both the victim and innocent bystanders," Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said in the announcement. "Due to the tenacious work of our Police Officers and Detectives, he will now confront the full force of the law for his heinous acts; let this be a warning to others who dare to engage in violent conduct in our City.”

McNair was booked on two counts of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder, a Class B Violent Felony in the NYS Penal Law.

At 1:42 p.m. Jan. 14, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to 373 Warburton Ave. on a report of a shooting incident. Subsequent investigation yielded that McNair allegedly aimed a loaded firearm at the victim and attempted to cause his death by firing the weapon three times directly at him at close range with the intent to kill him. The victim was not injured during this incident.

Then at 12:36 a.m. Jan. 20, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to 296 Woodworth Avenue on a report of a shooting incident. Police said McNair allegedly aimed a loaded firearm at the same victim and attempted to cause his death by firing the weapon one time directly at him at close range with the intent to kill him. The bullet struck the victim’s body causing him to be hospitalized for an extended period of time with a serious physical injury to his back and leg.

McNair has been arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court and sent to the Westchester County Jail. The prosecution of this case is being managed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.