Bronx, N.Y. — A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday in the Castle Hill Houses, where a man reportedly took the lives of three family members before turning the gun on himself. Kaseem Stukes, 44, is alleged to have shot his 75-year-old mother, his 26-year-old daughter, and her boyfriend, Andrew Reynoso, 33, in an act that has left the community in shock and mourning.
Tangier Stukes, Kaseem’s sister, expressed her heartbreak and anger, stating she would have wanted to confront her brother about the brutal act. “If it was up to me, I would have killed him myself,” she lamented. She described her brother’s behavior leading up to the shooting as influenced by a darker force, claiming, “The devil was on his shoulder.”
The shooting incident occurred within the family’s fifth-floor apartment, just hours before Stukes was scheduled to appear in court on previous charges related to illegal possession of a firearm. The pattern of his tumultuous past, including multiple stints in prison, has fueled speculation about the mental toll such experiences may have taken on him. “Jail can change a person,” Tangier noted. “You become paranoid and your mind shifts.”
So far, investigators have not established a clear motive for the heinous act. While law enforcement sources have indicated that Stukes is believed to be the shooter, no formal declaration has been made regarding the case. Authorities are still piecing together the circumstances leading up to the tragic shooting.
The apartment complex, often a focal point in discussions about public safety and social issues, now grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event. Neighbors and family members are left questioning what could have driven a man to such violence, struggling to process the loss of three lives in a single night.
Court records reveal that Stukes’ most recent legal troubles stemmed from reckless endangerment and illegal weapon charges from an incident last September. The timing of this tragedy and the events that preceded it leave many residents of the community searching for answers and drawing attention to broader issues surrounding mental health and gun violence.
In light of the gruesome nature of the crime, families and friends of the victims have begun to share their grief, recalling fond memories and the loving ties that existed before this heartbreaking ordeal. The community is left to heal from the shocking loss, reflecting on the toll such violence can take on families and neighborhoods alike.