FOUR MEN INDICTED IN SLAYING OF LA-BASED RAPPER

Defendants Allegedly Robbed, Shot Victim in Crotona Pharmacy

          Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that four men have been indicted for Murder and additional charges in the fatal shooting of an LA-based rapper who was in town for a performance as he left a pharmacy in Crotona.

          District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants allegedly attacked two men, robbing them of money, their phones, and jewelry. One of the men, Avanti Frowner, “Moneygang Vontae,” was in New York to perform, and needed medication at a pharmacy. He was shot and killed in this senseless crime.”

         District Attorney Clark said that defendant Isiah Garrett, 24, of 1721 Grand Avenue, has been charged with first-degree Murder, and he and defendants Allan Algarin, 23, of 2865 University Avenue, Nayshon White, 25, of  2235 Bathgate Avenue, and River Jones, 18, of 380 Main Street in New Rochelle have been charged with two counts of second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, four counts of first-degree Robbery, two counts of second-degree Robbery, first-degree Gang Assault, two-counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of fifth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Garrett and Jones were arraigned on August 9, 2022 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas, and the other defendants were previously arraigned.  All four defendants were remanded and are due back in court on October 26, 2022. 

According to the investigation, on June 9, 2022, at approximately 1:40 p.m. outside the Amazing Pharmacy at 595 East Tremont Avenue in the Crotona section of the Bronx, the defendants, excluding Jones, and a fifth man not yet apprehended allegedly approached Avanti Frowner, 27, who was a Los Angeles-based drill rapper, along with his friend outside of the pharmacy where Frowner had just purchased eye drops, and allegedly robbed the two of jewelry and cell phones.  Frowner was beaten to the ground as all four defendants allegedly tried to rob him of his watch and money.

During the robbery, Frowner was allegedly forced into the pharmacy at gunpoint and shot multiple times in the torso allegedly by Isiah Garrett. The attack was captured on surveillance video. Frowner was transported to Saint Barnabas hospital and died.

River Jones was arrested in Westchester County, Isiah Garrett, Allan Algarin, and Nayshon White fled to Georgia and were apprehended together. Police are still searching for the fifth suspect. 

          The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tony Castro, Homicide Counsel, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, Chief of the Trial Division.

         District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Miguel Alvarez of the 48 Precinct Squad, and Detective Patrick Sullivan of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, for their work in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.