April 7, 2026 BROOKLYN, NY The peace of Easter Sunday was shattered by the deafening sound of gunfire in Cypress Hills, leaving a community in shock and a young man dead.
What was supposed to be a day of reflection and family turned into a grisly crime scene outside a local deli at 2961 Fulton St. Now, as the smoke clears, the man allegedly behind the trigger is facing a judge.
The Attack: A "Hail of Gunfire"
Just before 6 p.m. on April 5, while many New Yorkers were finishing their holiday dinners, 24-year-old Michael Mendoza Cardona allegedly approached a group standing outside the deli.
According to police sources, Cardona didn't just fire a warning shot—he unleashed a "hail of gunfire." The targets: two men, aged 30 and 50, who were struck multiple times. In a detail that underscores the brutality of the attack, witnesses and police state the gunman allegedly continued to fire rounds even after both victims had collapsed to the pavement.
The Victims: One Life Lost, One Hanging by a Thread
First responders rushed the victims to Brookdale Hospital in a desperate attempt to save them.
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José Urena Moran (30): Tragically succumbed to his injuries. A life cut short on a holiday afternoon.
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Unidentified Victim (50): Remains in critical condition, fighting for his life after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body.
The Aftermath: Dozens of Shell Casings and a Recovered Weapon
The scene on Fulton Street was a grim tableau of violence. Investigators recovered a firearm at the scene alongside more than a dozen shell casings, indicating a high-volume shooting in a high-traffic area.
While a specific motive has not been pinpointed, authorities confirm the slaughter was sparked by a "dispute" that turned lethal. On Monday, April 6, the handcuffs were slapped on Cardona.
