A New York City parolee suspected of discarding a woman's lifeless body in a pile of trash bags confronted a furious mob of neighbors who attacked him as he was apprehended.
In the heart of New York City's Kips Bay neighborhood, a chilling incident unfolded on Monday, leaving the community shaken and outraged. Chad Irish, a 55-year-old parolee, found himself embroiled in a melee with angry residents after being taken into custody in connection with the gruesome discovery of Yazmeen Williams' corpse.
Williams, a 31-year-old woman with aspirations of working in the city's Department of Housing Preservation, was found lifeless inside a sleeping bag atop a dolly, surrounded by garbage bags, near a building on E. 27th Street on Friday afternoon. A gunshot wound to her head proved fatal, according to the New York City Medical Examiner's Office.
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the moment an individual in a motorized wheelchair dragged Williams' body to the scene. While officials have not confirmed whether Irish corresponds with the individual in the footage, detectives have questioned him about her demise.
An investigation is underway, and Irish has been charged with concealing a human corpse. However, he has not yet been charged with Williams' killing. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving Williams' family and friends grappling with grief and unanswered questions.
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
Irish's past criminal history casts a shadow over the tragedy. Records indicate a laundry list of prior arrests and convictions for offenses including attempted arson, assault, and numerous robberies. At the time of his apprehension, he was on parole for a robbery committed in the Bronx.
The arrest of Irish ignited a fierce reaction from the neighborhood. As he was being apprehended, a chaotic scene ensued. Police officers and EMTs struggled to control the disorderly crowd, which verbally and physically assaulted Irish. Punches were thrown, and some individuals demanded the crowd take his life.
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
Amid the clamor, Irish could be heard pleading his innocence before he was loaded into an ambulance. Nonetheless, the crowd's ire remained unabated, as they jeered and attempted to tear his clothes from his body.
Irish's connections to the community extend beyond his arrest location. He is said to have resided in both the Bronx and at the Nathan Straus Houses, a New York City Housing Authority development on East 28th Street, not far from where Williams' body was discovered.
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
Meanwhile, Williams' family mourns the loss of a promising young woman who was on the cusp of a new chapter in her life. She had graduated from Buffalo State University in 2016 and had received a job offer at the city's Department of Housing Preservation.
Her mother, Nicole Williams, expressed her anguish, stating that her daughter was filled with anticipation for the future. "She was looking so forward to living, living her life," she said. "She got her career in criminal justice. She went to Buffalo State University, and she wanted to be a lawyer."
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
Williams' twin brother and younger sister shared their sorrow, describing her as a caring and protective sibling. Her sister recalled how Williams would "always take good care of me, and she used to always be proud of me." She added, "I just wanted to grow up with her."
The incident highlights the complexities of violence within the community and the lasting impact it has on victims, their loved ones, and the wider society. As the investigation continues, it is imperative that justice prevails and that the circumstances surrounding Williams' death are thoroughly examined.
Outrage in NYC as Parolee Accused of Dumping Woman's Corpse in Trash Faces Mob Violence
