Bronx man receives 25-year prison sentence for fatally shooting 17-year-old basketball player in neck

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

BRONX, NEW YORK: A Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of killing a 17-year-old boy just days after the victim graduated from high school.

Najhim Luke, aged 26, discharged a firearm during a barbecue gathering on Davidson Avenue in the Morris Heights section on June 28, 2020. This action led to a bullet striking and fatally injuring teenager Brandon Hendricks.

After the murder, Luke was apprehended in July 2020, and in January, a jury convicted Najhim Luke of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in relation to the shooting death of Brandon Hendricks.

What happened in the courtroom?

According to CBS New York, during the sentencing hearing, Brandon Hendricks' mother directly addressed Najhim Luke, declaring, "You are the worst monster. You are the devil's child."

She conveyed her profound hatred towards him, adding, "I hate you. I pray to God every day to grant me the ability to forgive you, but I cannot."

Another family member present, Hendricks' nephew Noel Ellison, underscored Hendricks' devout church attendance and promising basketball career, mentioning his acceptance to numerous colleges.

Ellison emphasized their family's support, stating, "We made sure to check his homework, we made sure he maintained good grades, we made sure he had adult figures supporting him."

He asserted that Luke owed their family a debt that could never be repaid. Despite their grief, Hendricks' family channeled their pain into positive actions by establishing scholarships in his name, arranging Thanksgiving food giveaways, and organizing basketball tournaments.

Ellison urged others to become mentors, saying, "Become a villager, become a mentor. I challenge all young people, if you ain't got a mentor now, go recruit one." He emphasized the tragic loss for both families, declaring, "There is no victor here."

Upon hearing the statements from Hendricks' family, Luke remained stubbornly silent, staring ahead with an expressionless gaze.

Luke's defense attorney acknowledged the family's immense suffering, stating, "There are no words that can compensate for the loss that this family has endured."

It is noteworthy that Luke was also sentenced to 15 years for the weapons charge, with an additional five years post-release supervision, to be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.

Brandon Hendricks’ family described him as a role model in both academics and as a player

Family and acquaintances familiar with Hendricks described him as an academic achiever at James Monroe High School, portraying him as a role model both in academics and on the basketball court, where he excelled as a star player, according to Spectrumlocal news.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark claimed, "Brandon was killed just days after his high school graduation. His dream to play college basketball was ripped away when he was shot with a stray bullet."

Clark added, “I want to thank Brandon’s mother, who, through this tragedy, has turned her pain into purpose. She has been a vocal advocate against gun violence and has been working with our office to bring meaningful change to the community.”