Two employees shot at UES auto repair shop/Upper East Site
Two employees shot at UES auto repair shop/Upper East Site

UES Murder Scene to be Torn Down by Developers

MANHATTAN – On the morning of August 23, 2021, a gunman walked into an auto repair shop on East 95th Street on the Upper East Side and shot two men— murdering one employee and wounding another. Ten months after the heinous crime, the scene of bloodshed and death is set to be torn down.

Property owner Taconic Partners filed plans last Friday, June 3rd, to demolish the blue one-story garage between First and Second Avenue where a man was shot dead last year. UES Patch was first to report the filing.

ALSO READ | UES Restaurant Workers Fight Off Would-be Thief

It was around 9:30 am that August day last year, when the quiet block between First and Second Avenues was turned into the scene of a murder— taking the life of manager Mario Gonzalez, who was shot in the head and shoulder. 

Two employees shot at UES auto repair shop/Upper East Site
Two employees shot, one killed, at UES auto repair shop on August 23, 2021 | Upper East Site

“He was only 33 years old, and the sweetest person you could ever meet,” wrote relative Asriel Gonzalez in a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with the cost of Mario’s funeral last year. 

A 43-year-old man was also shot in his back, but thankfully survived his injuries from the attack.

Mario Gonzalez
Mario Gonzalez was shot and killed while working at NY Auto, Inc | Gonzalez family via GoFundMe

Investigators say 37-year-old Zachery Bryant is the cold-blooded gunman seen in surveillance video wearing a dark blue hoodie and white gloves, looking around before casually getting into a blue SUV and fleeing the scene of the crime. 

Bryant was arrested in September 2021, less a month after the grisly slaying, and charged with murder and attempted murder. 

Suspect wanted in UES auto-shop shooting/Surveillance video screen grab via NYPD CrimeStoppers
Suspect in UES auto-shop shooting identified as Zachery Bryant | NYPD CrimeStoppers

A motive was never released by investigators and Bryant is due back in court on July 18th.

As for the auto repair shop building that housed the crime scene, Taconic Partners bought the garage along with an adjacent building late last year for $70 million. 

ALSO READ | Horrific Video Shows Broad Daylight Stabbing on the UES

It’s not yet clear what the developers have in store for the property, however, Crain’s New York Business reported at the time that it was expected to be replaced with modern office space.

Upper East Site reached out to Taconic Partners for more information on their plans for the site, but did not hear back by time of publication.

For updates around the clock, follow us on InstagramTwitter and Facebook

For updates around the clock, follow us on InstagramTwitter and Facebook

Suggest a Correction
——
Copyright 2023 Upper East Site. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast, or redistributed.

Chicken Insider workers fight back when would-be thief tries to steal tablet and phone

SEE IT: UES Restaurant Workers Fight Off Would-be Thief

The New Amity Restaurant on Madison Avenue closed after 45 years

The New Amity Restaurant Says Goodbye after 45 Years on the Upper East Side