Ariel Santos, 32, was fatally shot on the evening of May 25, 2021, in the Bronx. At about 6:00 PM he was sitting in his black Mercedes-Benz at East 178th Street and Arthur Avenue when multiple gunshots struck his torso. He was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital but died of his injuries. Reports describe him as an innocent bystander near his home and state the attack was targeted rather than random.

Investigators arrested four people in connection with the killing. On June 9, 2021, 18-year-olds Antione Scriber and Justin Polanco were taken into custody; a criminal complaint alleged Polanco provided the gun to Scriber and instructed him to shoot, and that Scriber leaned out of a car window and opened fire. A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old were later arrested as additional suspects. All four were charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon, and authorities linked the suspects to a gang referred to as the 5zzly Crew.

What information might help clarify who was responsible or explain why Santos was targeted?