Westchester Man Admits To Murdering His Friend After Argument

Officers found a 35-year-old Yonkers man, with a single gunshot wound to the head, at the scene of the deadly shooting.

By Jeff Edwards, Patch Staff

May 22, 2026 7:31 am EDT | Updated May 22, 2026 7:40 am EDT

On July 11, of last year, around 2:30 a.m., the Yonkers Police Department responded to reports of a man shot in the area of Ludlow Street and Riverdale Avenue. (YPD)

YONKERS, NY — A Westchester man has admitted to killing his friend following an argument.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Thursday that 42-year-old Fidencio Abreu, of Yonkers, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to felony second-degree murder; and felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The plea is related to Abreu shooting his acquaintance to death in July 2025.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25.

"Rather than resolve an interpersonal dispute with dialogue, the defendant shot his friend in the head," DA Cacace said. "This kind of behavior is simply unacceptable, and this week's guilty plea on the top count of Murder in the Second Degree will ensure that the defendant spends a significant amount of time in prison for his despicable conduct. My thoughts remain with the victim's family, who should be enjoying their loved one's companionship today, not mourning his loss."

On July 11, of last year, around 2:30 a.m., the Yonkers Police Department responded to reports of a man shot in the area of Ludlow Street and Riverdale Avenue.

Officers located 35-year-old Francisco Vallejo, of Yonkers, with a single gunshot wound to the head at the scene. Officers and other first responders rendered aid, and rushed the victim to the hospital, but he died shortly after arriving, according to police.

Detectives from the Major Case Squad, the Digital Forensics Unit, and the Crime Scene Unit soon learned that Abreu and Vallejo were acquaintances who had a disagreement, which ended with Abreu firing one shot at Vallejo, with a semi-automatic pistol, before fleeing the area.

Detectives, patrol units and the Yonkers Crime Control Center tracked Abreu to an apartment near the intersection of Radford Street and Riverdale Avenue, where he was taken into custody.

The case was investigated by the Yonkers Police Department, and was prosecuted by Homicide Bureau Chief Brian Bendish and Cold Case Bureau Chief Daniel Flecha.