A dispute over a necklace inside a Bronx apartment ended with a young man dead. Jeifry Alcantara Veras, 22, was at a residence on 560 Balcom Avenue in Throggs Neck in the early morning of February 22, 2025 when an argument with 21-year-old Carlos Estrella Tejeda and 27-year-old Diana Richez escalated. A witness says Estrella Tejeda produced a gun and shot Alcantara Veras once in the abdomen.

Alcantara Veras was taken by private means to St. Barnabas Hospital and was initially stable. He later was intubated, placed in a coma, lost a kidney and died on March 7, 2025; the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. Estrella Tejeda and Richez were arrested on February 27, 2025 and initially charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery, assault and weapon possession; officials said charges would be upgraded after the victim’s death.

Anyone who was at or near 560 Balcom Avenue that morning or who has information about the argument or the necklace is asked to come forward.