A 21-year-old man, Mohamed Sawaneh, was arrested by the NYPD recently on murder charges related to the fatal July drive-by shooting of 37-year-old Jeremy Cummings, a sports YouTuber in Harlem. Sawaneh, who lives in NYCHA’s Webster Houses in The Bronx, is accused of opening fire while driving along Eight Avenue and West 118th Street, resulting in Cummings being shot in the back and abdomen. Cummings was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside after the incident.
Cummings, who ran the YouTube channel JermSportsTV with over 35,000 subscribers, was believed to be an unintended target, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. He had no criminal history or gang affiliation and was simply standing with a group of friends at the time of the shooting. Sawaneh, who was arrested after his initial denial of involvement, was wearing a bright red hoodie and matching sweatpants at the time.
Following the shooting, the gunman attempted to flee but was boxed in by a van. He abandoned his car and stole a Citi Bike from a pair of teens on the sidewalk in order to escape, according to police reports. Sawaneh has no prior criminal history and the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Along with second degree murder, he has been charged with first-degree robbery, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it, and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm.
The arrest of Sawaneh in connection to the murder of Jeremy Cummings has brought some closure to the case, as the sports YouTuber was killed in what appears to have been a case of mistaken identity. The shooting took place on a July afternoon as Cummings stood with friends on a street corner in Harlem. Sawaneh, according to police accounts, fired shots at another individual and hit Cummings instead, resulting in his tragic death.
Cummings, known for his sports channel on YouTube, received an outpouring of support from his subscribers and the sports community following his untimely passing. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting and the events leading up to it continues, as authorities work to piece together the circumstances that led to the fatal drive-by shooting. Sawaneh remains in custody as he faces multiple charges in relation to the incident.
The arrest of Sawaneh highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing gun violence in urban areas like Harlem. With the rise of incidents involving firearms and innocent victims getting caught in the crossfire, there is a growing concern about the safety of communities and the need for stricter gun control measures. The tragic death of Jeremy Cummings serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of addressing the root causes of such incidents to prevent future tragedies.
