Man and home health aide fatally shot in East Harlem apartment

Detectives in Manhattan are investigating the fatal shootings of a senior man and a home health aide inside an East Harlem apartment on Thursday evening, Nov. 5. Law enforcement sources said the discovery was made at about 8:35 p.m. at 2029 2nd Ave.

Officers from the 23rd Precinct and NYPD PSA 5 went to the building after a 911 call about a reported assault. Inside, they found 66-year-old Wilgen Elias Severino-Tatis, who lived at the residence, and 55-year-old Elsa Espina-Espinal of Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx. Both had gunshot wounds to the head. Responding EMS units pronounced them dead at the scene. According to ABC7, Espina-Espinal is believed to have been Severino-Tatis' home health attendant.

Police sources said Friday that the motive remains unknown and is under investigation. No arrests have been made so far. No weapons were recovered at the scene, and police have no description of a possible suspect at this time.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, or 888-57-PISTA for Spanish. Tips can also be submitted online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (formerly Twitter) at @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

According to the most recent crime statistics, the 23rd Precinct had recorded only one homicide this year as of Nov. 1. It had also reported five shootings, down from eight at the same point in 2025.