NEW YORK CITY – A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of well-known sneaker reseller Javier Osorio-Mejia, a prominent figure in New York City’s sneaker culture. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jayquan Straker of Poughkeepsie, was taken into custody and charged with murder, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police.
The tragic incident occurred on June 25 at approximately 5:15 a.m. on Greene Street in SoHo. Osorio-Mejia, 31, from Bayonne, New Jersey, was shot three times in the right leg, with at least one bullet piercing his thigh. Despite being rushed to Bellevue Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Osorio-Mejia was well-regarded in the sneaker community, known for selling rare, high-end sneakers to A-list celebrities. His death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their grief over the loss of a rising businessman and father to a 2-year-old child.
Following the shooting, Straker fled the scene in a black SUV, leaving behind cash and a brand-new Range Rover, sources told FOX 5 NY’s Lisa Evers. The NYPD’s intensive investigation led to the recovery of significant ballistic evidence and Osorio-Mejia’s trademark lime green Nike sneakers.
The motive behind the murder remains unclear, but the incident has sparked further discussion about the rising violence in New York City, with many calling for action to address the root causes, particularly the proliferation of guns.
Friends and community members continue to mourn Osorio-Mejia’s death, remembering him as a humble individual who positively impacted those around him. As investigations proceed, the arrest of Straker brings a step closer to justice for the tragic loss.