A Bronx man shot to death outside the NYCHA development where he lived was the victim of a shootout between two groups of men after a pair of brawls, police said Tuesday.
Trent Jackson, 32, had been involved at least one of the two fights that took place just before he was killed outside the Throggs Neck Houses, according to cops.
“He was a legend,” said friend Wise Rollack, 32. “He orchestrated cookouts and back-to-school drives. He gave back to his community.”
Two groups of men fought at Dewey Ave. near Swinton Ave., about a block from Jackson’s home in the sprawling complex, at 5:45 p.m. Monday and then left, police said, only to return to the same spot an hour later.
Another argument sparked off but this time guns were drawn, with the two groups opening fire on each other about 6:50 p.m.
Sam Costanza for New York Daily News
Police investigate the shooting on Dewey Ave. in the Bronx on Monday. (Sam Costanza for New York Daily News)
Jackson, struck in the head, was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died about 40 minutes later, cops said.
Fifteen shell casings of various calibers were found at the shooting scene.
On Tuesday, friends of Jackson gathered at the spot where he had been shot, remembering him as generous and caring and expressing shock at his death.
According to friends, Jackson worked at a warehouse for a fireproof door manufacturer and is survived by a girlfriend in addition to his family.
“He was the toughest. The realest. If he really loved you, he went all out,” said lifelong friend Tay Alexandre, 25.
“I was like this can’t be real. I thought it was a joke,” added Alexandre. “He stayed out the way. He was a make money man.”
Police said Jackson had multiple arrests on his record, including gun charges in 2017 and 2018.
Surveillance video showed a white SUV and dark-colored Jeep fleeing the scene Monday, police said. The SUV was later found in nearby Locust Point, with bloody clothing recovered nearby. There were no immediate arrests.
Jackson’s friends said it was his upbringing in the Bronx that made him want to help kids in the area where he lived and would die.
“He just wanted to help the community,” said another friend, who gave his name as Bliss, 33. “We didn’t have a lot growing up.”
