Mount Vernon Cops Arrest 21-Year-Old In Fatal Shooting Of 14-Year-Old

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Police have made an arrest in the March 9, slaying of a 14-year-old Mount Vernon STEAM Academy freshman.

Mount Vernon Police Department detectives have made an arrest in connection with the March 9, murder of 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez.

Shortly after 1 a.m., on Tuesday, Mount Vernon detectives and members of the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force located the suspect in Brooklyn and took him into custody.

Tyrese L. Coghiel, who has no criminal history, is being charged with second degree murder and felony criminal possession of a weapon. The 21-year-old is being held in the Mount Vernon City Jail pending his arraignment, which was scheduled for later Tuesday afternoon.

"Together with the Mount Vernon Police Department and the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, we apprehended and charged the defendant with murder after he allegedly took a young life," Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah said. "My Office will seek justice for the victim while continuing to support the victim’s family and a community in mourning from this senseless gun violence."

Fernandez was shot in the chest shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, in the courtyard of the Levister Towers apartment buildings. He was rushed to Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mount Vernon police are asking anyone with information about the killing to contact the MVPD Detective Division at 914-665-2510. All calls will be kept confidential, according to police. You can also submit an anonymous tip via the MVPD "Text-A-Tip" by texting "MVPD" and your tip to 847411.