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Iona College Student from Yonkers Shot, Killed in New Rochelle

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Brandon Lawrence, 18, a freshman at Iona College from Yonkers was shot and killed Sunday near a centerfield fence on the Bruce Flowers baseball field in Lincoln Park.

Stivenson Desir, 19, of 759 Main Street in New Rochelle was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court on Monday and charged with Murder 2nd Degree. Desir did not appear but he was remanded to the Westchester County jail without setting bail. Desir’s next court date is scheduled for April 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Iona College officials confirmed that Lawrence was an Iona student.

“The Iona community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of an Iona student resulting from a shooting early Sunday morning at a New Rochelle city park.”

Council Member Jared Rice, who’s district includes Lincoln Park, issued a statement via Twitter hours after the murder.

“I am deeply disturbed by the homicide which took place this morning in Lincoln Park in New Rochelle,” said Rice. “I abhor senseless gun violence.”

“Every community should be a safe one,” added Rice. “We will continue to focus on proactive solutions to make that a reality throughout New Rochelle.”

As there is still an ongoing criminal investigation, police have not issued an official statement since Sunday morning but sources close to the investigation say a dispute may have risen over a girl, possibly at the Elks Lodge across the street from the park. The Elks Lodge has been the source of past incidents involving violence, shootings and illegal gambling.

Sunday morning, New Rochelle police reported that they responded to multiple calls of gunshots in the area of Lincoln Park at approximately 3:24 a.m. Sunday morning.

The shooting took place near a prominent rock directly behind the centerfield fence of Bruce Flowers Field. The area was strewn with small glassine envelopes typically used to package small amounts of crack cocaine and other drugs.

“Upon arrival officers observed a male victim, lying on the ground inside the park, bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound,” said Captain Robert Gazzola.

Officers immediately began first aid, and an ambulance was dispatched. Upon arrival at the scene, the ambulance personnel declared the victim deceased.

The Department’s General Investigations Unit and Forensic Unit personnel are currently investigating the incident as a homicide. Police are requesting that anyone who may have witnessed or has information relative to the investigation is urged to call the New Rochelle Police Department’s General Investigations Unit at 914-654-2270.

Lincoln Park has been the location of past violence. In 2014, three people were wounded in a shooting on the basketball court at the park.

Iona College has offered counseling and support services to students, faculty and staff, according to a statement issued by Iona College. The school sent an email overnight to students making them aware of the situation while advising them there is no related danger to the campus community, as required under the Clery Act.