A 41-year-old man, David Spralling Jr., was found unconscious and unresponsive in a third-floor hallway at 1851 Schieffelin Place in the Baychester Houses NYCHA complex on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at about 8:09 p.m. Emergency personnel transported him to NYC Health & Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced dead. The NYPD determined he had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and classified the case as a homicide.

David, born July 20, 1981, was raised in Hollis, Queens, and the Bronx and attended Cardinal Hayes High School. Family and friends described him as smart, witty, kind-hearted, and known for an infectious smile; he enjoyed sports, video games, chess, and suspense and action movies. The community mourned his sudden loss.

On Monday, December 12, 2022, police announced the arrest of a 58-year-old Bronx resident, Richard Brown, who was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with David’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone knew David or has information about what happened that night, please come forward.