1-man crime spree in Bx.
Seinfeld stands up to COVID-19 pandemic Gang susp busted in brutal slash & bash attacks on 8 men
A reputed Bronx gangbanger was busted for a barbaric four-day rampage where he slashed and smashed eight random victims — including a 75-year-old man sliced while sitting on his walker and a homeless man beaten into a coma, authorities charged Friday.
The savage spree last August ended with the arrest of JayQawn Byers, 22, who then punched a fellow detainee inside a holding pen at the 47th Precinct, said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
He was indicted on a staggering 66 criminal charges, including seven counts of attempted murder for his bloody onslaught targeting seven local men.
“We will seek justice for the victims in these unprovoked attacks, and for Bronx residents who have the right to walk freely in their neighborhoods without fearing for their safety,” Clark said.
According to authorities, the terrifying attacks began Aug. 4 when Byers (photo) left his first victim in a coma with traumatic brain injury after a savage beating.
Homeless victim Earl Harrell, 55, was knocked flat and kicked unconscious before Byers ran off with the helpless target’s money and wallet, authorities charged.
The spree ended two days later when the defendant with alleged ties to the Bloods street gang went after Ramon Capellan, 75, as the senior citizen sat outside on his walker.
Byers slashed the man in the neck, face and arm after demanding the victim surrender his money, the DA said.
In between, he attacked 59-year-old Anthony Gibbs, who took 24 stitches to the left side of his face and neck in the first of three slashings over a six-hour period on Aug. 5, officials said.
Byers then came up from behind Michael Skolnik, 65, and gashed the left side of his neck before doing the same to 45-year-old Danny Estus as the man walked along a Bronx sidewalk.
Skolnik was inside a Pelham Parkway clothing store when the attacker, in a blue surgical mask, came up from behind with the blade and then bolted from the scene, cops said.
Skolnik required 20 stitches to close his wound.
The carnage continued on the evening of Aug. 6 with victim Shamil Mohammed, 40, gashed across the neck and mouth before Jose Baez, 38, was slashed to the face. Capellan was the last of those attacked, as the suspect was arrested the next day.
Once in custody, prosecutors alleged that Byers slugged 48-yearold Lamont Odom inside a holding cell at the Bronx precinct.
Byers remains held without bail pending a June 25 court date.
In addition to the attempted murder counts, Byers faces 15 counts of first-degree assault, 16 counts of second-degree assault and assorted other charges from criminal possession of a weapon to grand larceny.