A reputed gang member, Steve Boria, currently incarcerated in Florida, is expected to face murder charges in the tragic slaying of Kemar Bryan Brooks, a tennis-loving honor roll student, more than a decade after the incident occurred. Law-enforcement sources have revealed that Boria, an alleged member of the Bronx’s “Slut Gang,” is set to be extradited to New York to face trial for the cold case killing.
Kemar Brooks, a 14-year-old high schooler, was found fatally shot in Haffen Park in July 2012 while playing tennis with friends. The case had gone cold, but a breakthrough came in 2018 when authorities recovered a firearm believed to be the murder weapon. Boria, also known as “Chrome,” is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence in a federal lockup in Florida after pleading guilty to gun and drug charges in October 2019.
Federal prosecutors have described Boria as the “most violent member” of the Slut Gang, a notorious group responsible for terrorizing the community around the Bronx’s Boston Secor Houses with various criminal activities, including shootings, robberies, and drug dealing. Court documents reveal that Boria committed multiple shootings on behalf of the gang, including one in September 2012 targeting members of the rival 2Fly gang at a nearby public housing complex.
On the night of Kemar Brooks’ tragic death, a thunderstorm forced him and his friends to seek shelter at a gazebo near the park. It was during this time that a stray bullet struck Kemar, ending his life. Witnesses reported seeing the alleged shooter enter the west side of the park and fire towards the pool, which was in the same direction as the gazebo.
Kemar’s father, Cassell Brooks, devastated by the loss, spent the entire night searching for his son. He discovered Kemar’s lifeless body lying near his tennis bags and rackets. In a 2012 interview, Cassell expressed his shock, stating that Kemar was a brilliant and trouble-free student, an A student who loved playing tennis and bowling. Kemar, the youngest of five siblings, had immigrated to the United States from Jamaica just two years prior to the fatal shooting.
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office has not provided any comments regarding the case. Boria’s attorney from the 2019 gun and drug charges case did not respond to requests for comment.
1 Response
It’s heartbreaking to hear about the tragic slaying of Kemar Bryan Brooks, especially considering that it took over a decade for the alleged perpetrator, Steve Boria, to face murder charges. This case highlights the importance of a thorough and efficient justice system that ensures timely justice for the victims and their families.
It’s also concerning to learn that Boria is a reputed gang member. This raises questions about the influence and impact of gang culture on individuals and communities. It’s crucial for society to address the