Murder Charge After Arrest Made In New Year's Eve 2021 Cold Case Homicide Investigation

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The White Plains Department of Public Safety has announced an arrest in a nearly 5-year-long homicide investigation.

The suspect, 43-year-old Shawn R. McLaurin, of Yonkers, in the 2021 murder of Shawn Jefferson, was taken into custody on Sunday, according to the White Plains Department of Public Safety.

See Also: White Plains Man Dies After Being Shot On New Year's Eve

On Dec. 31, 2021, around 11:51 p.m., White Plains police officers responded to a shooting on North Kensico Avenue. At the scene, officers discovered the victim, Jefferson, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was rushed to White Plains Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:29 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2022.

"When handling a case, our detectives follow the evidence relentlessly to ensure we find the right suspect," Commissioner Wade C. Hardy said. "Cases of this magnitude are not solved overnight, and there should be no time limit to ensure the investigation is done correctly so that justice for the victim and the victim's family can be served appropriately and with confidence."

Following the extensive investigation led by White Plains Detective Kristin Faulkner, and supported by the White Plains Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking McLaurin to the crime, according to authorities.

McLaurin taken to the White Plains Police Department for booking and processing. He has now been charged with second-degree murder. Additional charges are possible after consultation with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, according to police.

McLaurin was arraigned in White Plains City Court on Monday and remanded to the Westchester County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

"This week's arrest, five years after the fatal shooting of Mr. Jefferson, is a testament of the fact that no victim is forgotten by my office," Westchester County District Attorney Susan
Cacace said. "Our prosecutors have worked diligently since the day of his murder to identify and apprehend a suspect. I hope that beginning the process for accountability can bring a
measure of closure for Mr. Jefferson's family. We will keep them in our thoughts and support them throughout this process. I also want to offer particular commendation to the White Plains Department of Public Safety, whose leadership on this case, in conjunction with my Cold Case Bureau and Criminal Investigators Squad, was indispensable in bringing about the defendant's arrest."

The department said that solving the case came down to perseverance, painstaking investigative work, and cooperation.

"The White Plains Department of Public Safety commends the diligent work of its department members — both active and recently retired — and expresses gratitude to its partners in the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office," police officials said in a statement released on Wednesday. "We hope this brings closure to the family of Mr. Jefferson and reassures all of our residents and visitors that this city remains safe, and our public safety department will do everything we can to keep it that way."