Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, Feb. 2, that a Bronx man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for shooting a woman who was working at a City Island construction site, after finding out she had a boyfriend.

 

In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant shot the victim, Lizbeth Mass, three times in the middle of her shift during a fit of jealous rage. Lizbeth was beloved in her community and was senselessly killed. After a 15-day trial, the jury reached a guilty verdict, and the defendant will now spend decades behind bars for the death of a working mother.”

 

Clark said the defendant, Jose Reyes, 69, from the South Bronx was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy for second-degree murder. She said he was also sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which she said will run concurrently, adding that Reyes was found guilty of the charges after a jury trial.

 

According to the investigation, on the afternoon of April 14, 2021, Reyes went to the construction site on 636 City Island Avenue where Mass, 52, worked. Reyes, who was acquainted with Mass, became enraged when he saw her boyfriend at the site and realized she was in a relationship with him.

 

The court heard that Reyes left the scene and returned on a bicycle. The victim’s boyfriend saw Reyes on his bike and was concerned he would do something to Mass. Driving his car, the boyfriend followed Reyes and saw him shoot Mass. The court heard that she was shot a total of three times, once each in the back, leg, and hip with a revolver which was taken from Reyes’ employer’s home.

 

The boyfriend ran over Reyes with his vehicle and, along with other people, restrained him until police arrived. Mass was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park where she was pronounced dead about an hour after the shooting.

 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Burim Namani, counsel in the Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Adam Thomas of Trial Bureau 30, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the Trial Division.

 

Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistants Jonathan Campa Pantaleon, Jazmine Pagoada, Omalia Bush, Jonathan Romero, Mateo Urrego, and Yoisy Jiminez, all of the Homicide Bureau.

 

She also thanked NYPD Detective Francis Orlando, formerly of the Bronx Homicide Squad, and NYPD Detective Kristopher Persaud of the 45th Precinct for their assistance in the investigation.

 

At nearby Orchard Beach, two construction workers were injured in a construction site collapse in July 2023.

 

Read our previous story on stalking awareness for more information on this topic.

 

The Mayor’s Office to End Gender Based Violence & Domestic Violence offers assistance to victims of stalking through the New York City Family Justice Centers which are located in every borough and provide walk-in, one-stop services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, including victims of stalking. Staff at the centers have received specialized training in stalking identification and appropriate safety planning.

 

They also have an integrated assessment for stalking built into their risk assessment protocols. Victims can receive free and confidential services at these centers including safety planning, case management, counseling and civil legal services, and can meet with City agencies, community providers, and the District Attorney’s office, all on-site.

 

The Bronx NYC Family Justice Center is located at 198 E 161st St, The Bronx, NY 10451 and can be reached by calling (718) 508-1220. Learn more here.

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, help is available.

• Call 311 to be connected to the nearest NYC Family Justice Center
• Find resources and support in NYC by searching the City’s NYC HOPE Resource Directory
• Call the City’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673) for immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other resources. TTY: 800-810-7444

 

In an emergency, dial 911.

 

For LGBTQ domestic violence issues, NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Program can be contacted at 212-714-1141. For people with disabilities, Barrier-Free Living can be contacted at 212-533-4358.