The 19-year-old Brooklyn man shot in the mouth and left to choke on his own blood earlier this week may have been killed in a case of mistaken identity, police officials said Thursday.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described Christian Montrose as a good kid without a criminal record or any known connection to gangs who ended up being a victim of his surroundings.
Police sources said Montrose had apparently just parked his car outside of his home on the 1100 block of East 104th Street in Canarsie at around 2:43 a.m. on March 19 when someone in a black Acura, who had apparently been following him, rolled up. A perpetrator inside the vehicle apparently engaged Montrose in conversation before firing.
Law enforcement sources said Montrose sustained three gunshot wounds: one in the forearm, one in the abdomen, and one to the right side of his face, knocking out several teeth.
“He manages to run to his apartment. He bangs on the door where he’s met with his brother,” Chief Kenny said. “He is trying to talk to his brother, but he can’t speak, he’s actually choking on his own blood.”
Montrose was rushed to Brookdale University hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Chief Kenny believes Montrose was mistaken for another person since the young man did not have a history of any arrests or have any connection to any gangs. He even stated that the victim did not drink alcohol; he was just a young man with a passion for cars.
“He’s not involved in any gangs. He is basically a good kid who unfortunately resides in an area where we’ve had some significant gang violence and, probably mistaken through identity, gets shot,” Chief Kenny said.
Police say the black Acura was stolen from the Bronx, and was believed to have been circling the area looking for a rival gang member.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the suspect responsible can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Read more: Police Search for Suspect Who Hit Bronx Bus Driver
