Man Holding a Child Is Shot in the Head

A 20-year-old man was shot in the head and killed Tuesday while he held his young daughter in his arms, police said.

The victim, identified by family members as Allen McQueen, was standing in front of a building on Taylor Avenue in the Parkchester section of the Bronx when shots rang out around 1:19 p.m., police said.

Mr. McQueen was shot once in the head, according to police. His 1-year-old daughter, Taylor, fell to the ground but wasn't injured, police and family members said.

Mr. McQueen was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died a short time later, police said.

Mr. McQueen's sister, Jennifer McQueen, said he was a good, kind person who loved his daughter. "Nobody deserved to die like that," she said. "He was dedicated to his daughter... He loved kids."

Moments after the shooting, neighbors grabbed the child, who appeared to be unharmed, and held her until Emergency Medical Service workers arrived.

They child was also evaluated at the hospital but was released, according to Ms. McQueen.

Investigators believe the shooting was gang related and identified the victim as a leader of the Taylor Avenue Crew, a law-enforcement official said.

Mark Morales

ATV Rider Is Accused Of Attempted Murder

An all-terrain-vehicle rider accused of ramming and injuring a uniformed police officer aboard a confiscated dirt bike appeared in court on Tuesday charged with 14 counts ranging from assault to attempted murder.

George Evangelista, 44 years old, said nothing as he was remanded into custody on $250,000 bond or cash bail following his arraignment in Bronx criminal court. Wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans, he didn't speak during the brief proceedings and wasn't required to enter a plea.

According to the criminal complaint, Mr. Evangelista, from the Bronx, faces seven felony charges, including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of attempted murder and other assault charges following an incident Saturday evening.

"He intentionally ran down a uniformed NYPD officer, rammed him, essentially, with a 1-ton weapon with wheels." said Bronx Assistant District Attorney Georgia Barker.

Amy Gallicchio, an attorney for Mr. Evangelista, said her client "adamantly denies the allegations and any involvement whatsoever."

Mark Morales

Cuomo Chides de Blasio For His Public Remarks

Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded Tuesday to criticism directed at him by Mayor Bill de Blasio a week earlier.

The governor said the mayor was "obviously frustrated" with the outcome of Albany's legislative session and suggested he didn't know how to compromise. Mr. Cuomo also chided Mr. de Blasio for choosing to "air his frustration publicly."

Mr. Cuomo had largely ignored Mr. de Blasio's comments until Tuesday.

The mayor last week voiced his grievances over how New York City fared in the Albany session that had just ended. He said Mr. Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, had disappointed him "at every turn" and carries out a "vendetta" against those who oppose him.

Mr. De Blasio also said he was angry at Mr. Cuomo over his role in the legislature reauthorizing the extension of mayoral control of city schools by just one year. Mr. de Blasio had initially asked for permanent control.

"But renewal for one year is better than expiration, right?" Mr. Cuomo said Tuesday. "But next year we come back and, if he does a good job, then we can say he should have more control."

Mr. de Blasio is on a weeklong, out-of-state vacation that began hours after he attacked Mr. Cuomo, but his press secretary said his comments from last week stand.

Associated Press

Christie Signs Measure Increasing Tax Credit

Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday signed legislation increasing a tax credit for lower-income residents in New Jersey.

The new law increases the state's earned income tax credit from 20% to 30% of a similar federal rebate.

The Christie administration said this would benefit about 500,000 residents, with the credit rising from about $420 to $630.

The Republican governor said families with income up to $52,000 a year and single adults earning up to $47,000, could be eligible for the credit, depending on how many dependent children are in their household.

Democrats, who control the Legislature, had proposed increasing the rate from 20% to 25%, but Mr. Christie countered with 30% after lowering it in his first term.

Associated Press

Schumer: IPhone Case Resembling Gun Illegal

Sen. Charles Schumer spoke out Tuesday against an iPhone case shaped to look like a 9mm firearm, saying the sale and distribution of the mock weapon is illegal.

Mr. Schumer cited a federal law that states an orange plug should be inserted into the barrel of a replica gun to denote it isn't a real firearm. The lack of the plug makes the weapon illegal to sell and transport, the Democrat said.

"If a police officer thinks that a person holding this case is a threat, what are they going to do? It's certainly going to result in an unneeded confrontation because there really is no danger, but how would they know?" said Mr. Schumer. "

The "gun grip case" is made to look exactly like a firearm, with the grip, trigger and barrel of a weapon. The phone can be placed in a case that runs along the top of the replica firearm. It retails anywhere between $5 and $50 and can be found on retail sites such as eBay and Amazon, according to Sen. Schumer.

New York Police Department Deputy Chief Kim Royster said Police Commissioner William Bratton fully supports a ban on the sale of such iPhone cases.

"This Idea is not only dangerous, but socially irresponsible," said Deputy Chief Royster.

Mark Morales

Food-Stamp Applicants Can Sue Over Delays

A federal appeals court said people applying for food stamps in Connecticut can sue the state over delays in processing their applications.

Greater Hartford Legal Aid said Tuesday that the decision from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals means plaintiffs can now seek permanent relief from the court, requiring the state's Department of Social Services to process food stamps applications on a timely basis. Federal law requires the department to process applications in 30 days, or seven days in cases of dire need.

The Department of Social Services said it was reviewing the court decision. While disappointed in the ruling, released on Monday, the agency said it had made "tremendous improvement" in processing applications and issuing accurate payments. More than 230,000 eligible households in Connecticut receive the federal benefit.

Associated Press