Greenwich Man Charged in Yonkers Drive-By Shooting Was Known to GPD; Participated in Anti-Police Brutality Protest

A Greenwich man was charged by Yonkers Police in New York for his involvement in a drive-by shooting last Thursday afternoon. Police believe the shooting was gang related and that the shooter was possibly targeting rival members.

The alleged driver was Andre Canute McKenzie, 21, of St Roch Ave in Greenwich.

He is one of three suspects charged in the incident.

Andre Canute McKenzie. Photo: Yonkers Police Dept

McKenzie and two other defendants face charges of Attempted Murder 2 (a Class A-I Violent Felony in New York), in addition to Felony Assault and Criminal Possession of a Weapon charges.

Last summer McKenzie was front and center in a protest against police brutality at the Greenwich Public Safety Complex, where participants chanted, ‘Black Lives Matter,’ and ‘No Justice, No Peace,’ at Greenwich Police Dept members including Chief Heavey and then Captain Kraig Gray who were taking a knee and attempting to engage them in dialogue.

In November 2020 Greenwich Police, who were aware McKenzie had an active warrant, spotted him around 1:00am in Pemberwick. He was arrested and charged for an August 2020 assault in Riverside. Investigation revealed that McKenzie put his hand around the victim’s neck, causing minor injury. According to the CT Judicial Branch website, that case is awaiting disposition.

Andre McKenzie, center, participated in a protest against police brutality in front of Greenwich Police Headquarters. June 1, 2020
Screenshot from Yonkers Police Dept video on Facebook. Yonkers Police say Andre McKenzie is the suspected driver in a drive-by shooting.

Yonkers Police Dept said in a release that when they initially responded to the incident they located three gunshot victims. The most seriously injured was struck in the chest. Two other victims had transported themselves to a local hospital before police arrived. All victims are expected to survive.

Yonkers Police identified a suspect vehicle, and using license plate readers and partnerships with local, county, and federal agencies, they located the car in Mount Vernon.

Yonkers Police along with other agencies located and apprehended four suspects after a foot pursuit and recovered an illegal handgun, described as a Springfield Armory XD 9mm semi-automatic pistol, that they believe was used in the shooting.

Investigators interviewed subjects and witnesses, recovered surveillance video, and processed forensic and ballistic evidence to determine that just before the shooting there were approximately 10 people socializing on the sidewalk and in the street.

As an older model gray Toyota Camry drove past the group, an assailant leaned out the rear passenger window and fired a handgun multiple times in the direction of the group, striking multiple victims directly and indirectly with shrapnel.

The vehicle then fled the scene. Investigators believe that at least 10 shots were fired. They said 9mm spent cartridge casings were recovered at scene.

Investigators believe the motivation for the shooting was related to gang activity, and that the shooter was targeting possible rivals in the group. The investigation into the matter is active and on-going.

Four victims sustained gunshot injuries. The fifth victim, upon examination, was determined not to have bullet-to-body contact.

The first victim, a 28-year-old Yonkers woman sustained a gunshot injury to her chest. She was taken to a local area trauma center and is listed in critical but stable condition.

The second victim is a 31-year-old Yonkers man with a gunshot injury to his leg. He was taken to a local area medical center and is listed in stable condition.

The third victim is a 24-year-old male Yonkers resident with a gunshot injury to his ankle. He was listed in stable condition at a local area hospital.

The fourth victim is a 23-year-old male Yonkers resident with a gunshot injury to his right leg. He was taken to a local area trauma center and is listed in stable condition.

In addition to Mr. McKenzie, YPD arrested the alleged shooter, a 17-year-old male resident of Mount Vernon. Due to his status as an adolescent offender, no additional information was released.

The third suspect is identified as Tyrese White, 18, of Mount Vernon was wanted by the New York City Police Dept for a prior Robbery charge and the Mount Vernon Police Dept for a prior Assault charge.

The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.