DEATH, NOT A NEW LIFE
Ex-con killed trying to take over Bronx gang: sources
An ex-con shot dead in the Bronx had been trying to wrest back control of a gang since his recent release from prison, police sources said Wednesday.
The revelation is in sharp contrast to the belief of Brian Reese’s mother, who told the Daily News Tuesday he had been trying to piece his life back together after serving 14 years in state prison for accidentally killing his best friend in Far Rockaway, Queens, in 2003.
Reese, 36, was shot in the neck on Nov. 27 on Thwaites Place near Bronx Park East in Allerton. He died at the scene.
Sources said Reese had been trying to take over a Bloods gang set, the East Side Homicide Brims, since he was released on parole in September.
When reached Wednesday, Reese’s mother said she wasn’t aware of her son’s alleged plans to seize control of a local street gang.
“I know nothing of that,” Tracy Newkirk said. “There’s like 10,000 different stories out there. If he’s doing it, he’s doing it. One thing can’t be true if the other thing was true.”
Police on Tuesday said they have arrested Anthony Thorne, 30, for murder, manslaughter and weapons possession. Thorne, whose prior arrests are sealed, was busted at his job at FreshDirect.
On Wednesday, police said they arrested a second suspect, Alyssa Crichlow, 31, on the same charges. Crichlow, arrested at her home, has an assault arrest from 2018 and other arrests that are sealed, sources said.
It wasn’t immediately clear what role Crichlow allegedly played in the shooting.
Reese was 18 when he accidentally shot Jonathan Rhodes, 17, in November 2003. Several people were arguing when Reese fired his gun, hitting Rhodes in the head, The Wave newspaper reported at the time.
Reese was sentenced to 12 to 14 years behind bars for manslaughter in 2007.
He was first released on parole in May 2016 but was sent back to prison in July 2021 for the second time for a parole violation when he allegedly slashed another excon in the face, law enforcement sources said. He was hit with a slew of charges including assault, resisting arrest and marijuana possession.
He was released on parole again in September, records show, but violated parole by not staying at his approved residence and missing meetings with his parole officer. State correction officials were seeking an absconder warrant against him when they learned he was murdered, sources said.
Reese’s mother on Tuesday told the News her son was trying to build a life for himself with his fiancée and young son.
“He was my only son,” she said. “He had some really bad stuff when he was young . ... He was released for three months and that was it — he was shot and killed.
“It was unnecessary, unfair and heartless.”
On Wednesday Newkirk emphasized her son is the victim in this case. “It’s silly. If you’re a victim, you’re just a victim. No matter what you’ve done in your life,” she said. “We’ve all done things that we’re not proud of. A victim is a victim regardless.”
“I love my son, and I’m not trying to sugarcoat it,” she added. “He was my best friend, and that’s what people don’t realize.”