Mount Vernon Girl, 13, Dies: Remembered As 'Bright Light' By Community
A community in Westchester is grieving the loss of 13-year-old Avayah Almond, who died on Friday, Feb. 21.
Almond's death was announced on Monday, Feb. 24 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who said she died from suicide.
"As a community, we must work together to support our young people and families who are suffering in silence or trying to navigate challenges and systems that are not easy," Patterson-Howard said, adding that Avayah was a "bright young light."
She also said Avayah's family, friends, and classmates are "devastated" by the loss.
In th…
Loaded Guns, High-Capacity Magazines: Man Charged After Mount Vernon Weapons Bust, DA Says
A Westchester man faces multiple weapons charges after being caught with loaded firearms and large-capacity magazines, prosecutors announced.
Malachi Beccan, age 27, of Mount Vernon, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Thursday, Feb. 13, following an indictment on weapons charges, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.
According to court documents, Beccan was found in possession of two loaded firearms—a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and a Cobray 9mm pistol—on Jan. 23, 2025. He was also allegedly in possession of five large-capacity magazines.
He w…
14-Year-Old Shot Dead: Man Who Provided Gun In Mount Vernon Murder Gets Jail Time
A Yonkers man will spend decades in prison for his involvement in the killing of 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez in March 2023, officials announced.
Phillip Ferrell, age 48, was sentenced on Thursday, Jan. 16 to 25 years in prison in connection with the fatal shooting of Fernandez in Mount Vernon on March 9, 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.
According to the DA's Office, Ferrell provided his 9 mm pistol to his stepson, 23-year-old Tyrese Coghiel, and instructed him to "do what you gotta do." Shortly after, Coghiel used the weapon to fatally shoot Fe…
