BRONX MAN HAS BEEN CONVICTED ON ATTEMPTED MURDER AND RELATED CHARGES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 20 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of attempted murder and assault charges for shooting a 40 year-old father of five.

A jury found Darren Felix, of 1500 Grand Concourse, the Bronx, guilty of one count each of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, Assault in the 1st degree and Criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, for the July 2003 shooting of Kantara Baragi.

Felix faces a maximum term of up to twenty-five years imprisonment when he appears before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Denis J. Boyle for sentencing on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 in Part T4.

The incident occurred on July 24, 2004 outside a McDonalds restaurant at 86 East 167th Street following an argument a few moments earlier inside the restaurant. Felix and an unidentified accomplice waited for Baragi to exit then attacked him. Baragi grabbed a construction tool and chased the defendant and his accomplice away before returning to the restaurant. When Baragi went back to the restaurant, the defendant and his accomplice returned and waited for Baragi to walk out.

Witnesses testified that they saw Felix shoot Baragi twice before fleeing, only to be caught a short time later, hiding in a nearby building. Eyewitnesses and the victim identified Felix as the shooter. His accomplice was not apprehended or identified.

Baragi survived the shooting, but lost his right kidney, had a lacerated liver and diaphragm. Baragi was out of work for six months.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mary Jo Blanchard of the Trial Bureau.