Ex-boyfriend arrested in fatal shooting of pregnant Harlem mom
HARLEM, Manhattan --- Police arrested the suspect accused of fatally shooting a pregnant mom after her baby shower in Harlem.
Justin Soriano, 40, was taken into custody Thursday morning in the Bronx in connection to the death of Shanice Young, 31.
"Our hope here is that this apprehension begins the process of closure for the family," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
Young had just gotten home from her baby shower Sunday when her ex-boyfriend showed up, officials said.
He began to fight with the father of Young’s unborn baby. When the 31-year-old mom of two tried to break up the fight, her ex-boyfriend allegedly pulled a gun and shot her in the head, killing her.
The baby did not survive, police said.
Young suffered years of abuse at her ex’s hands before her death, sources said.
Police had identified Soriano as the suspect on Tuesday.
Soriano, who has at least 17 prior arrests, faces charges of second-degree murder, acting in a manner injurious to a child and menacing, according to authorities.
The victim's father said he wants Soriano behind bars for good.
"I don't want him to see the light of day," he said. "I could sleep now knowing that this, whatever he is -- a creature, or somebody that ain't been born in this world [and] would take my daughter's life like that, a person that ain't got no heart...got no feelings [-- is in custody].
Community members spoke out about the trend of illegal guns on the streets amid all-too-frequent heartbreaking shootings in New York City.
Police announced the arrest Thursday afternoon: