Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Man who k!lled pregnant ex-girlfriend in front of her kids hours after her baby shower is sentenced to 40 years to life in prison
A man convicted of gunning down his pregnant ex-girlfriend in front of her kids just hours after her baby shower has been sentenced to 40 years to life behind bars.
Justice Ann Scherzer sentenced Justin Soriano, 43, to 40 years to life in state prison for the death of Shanice Young, 31, and her unborn child outside her Harlem home in September 2021, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. She was eight months pregnant at the time of her de@th.
“Justin Soriano will serve state prison time for viciously murdering Shanice Young on what should have been a joyous and memorable occasion and celebration,” District Attorney Bragg said in a statement.
“Soriano committed this horrific shooting in front of four children, including Ms. Young’s own daughters, who helplessly watched their mother d!e right before their eyes. The trauma Ms. Young’s family and loved ones have experienced continues to be felt today and my thoughts remain with them as they continue to heal,” Bragg said.
I hope the significant sentence imposed today serves as a measure of justice for this tragic and abhorrent act of violence,” his statement concluded.
According to the D.A.’s office, between 1:00 a.m. and 1:16 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2021, Young was returning home from celebrating her baby shower with family and friends when the tragedy unfolded.
The expectant mother was accompanied by her two daughters, ages 15 and 6, her 31-year-old male friend and his two daughters, ages 7 and 1, and her male cousin.
As they were unloading the gifts she received from loved ones just hours before, Soriano arrived on a motorcycle, while wearing all black clothing, a face covering, and latex gloves and armed with a loaded firearm.
After chasing his ex-girlfriend’s new companion around the apartment with the loaded weapon, Soriano went back to the front of the building.
Young’s kids were sitting in the car while she stood outside of the vehicle, trying to reason with Soriano.
The DA’s office said Young asked Soriano why he was doing this, and instead of responding, he repeated her question and began firing into her face at close range.
By the time first responders arrived, Young appeared to show no signs of life. She was taken to a hospital where she and her unborn child were pronounced de@d.
Soriano fled the scene after the shooting. He was found and arrested in the Bronx on Sept. 16, 2021.
He was found guilty on all counts, including murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, among other charges.
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