On the morning of February 28, 2026, a horrifying tragedy unfolded in the Bronx, New York. A mother, Yesenia Hall, 42, was brutally murdered, and her 16-year-old son was left fighting for his life after a violent attack inside their home. Juan Rivas, 45, has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, assault, and weapon possession after allegedly attacking Yesenia and her son in their apartment. The incident took place at their home on Sherman Avenue in the Highbridge section of the Bronx. At approximately 6:30 a.m. that morning, police received a call from a concerned neighbor who reported hearing screams and noticing blood coming from underneath the apartment door. The neighbor, whose identity has not been revealed, was alarmed by the situation and called 911, which led to the swift response from the authorities. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a disturbing and gruesome sight. Yesenia was discovered with multiple stab wounds to her neck and torso, and her son, who had been stabbed in the neck and back, was still alive but gravely injured. He was quickly transported to Lincoln Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Despite the traumatic experience, the teenage boy survived and is expected to recover physically, although the emotional and psychological effects of the attack will likely remain for much longer. Rivas, the alleged assailant, was reportedly able to flee the scene before the police arrived. The police then launched an immediate search for the suspect. Rivas was eventually apprehended later that day, around 2:30 p.m., just hours after the attack occurred. He was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, attempted murder, assault, and possession of a weapon. The case has left the local community in shock, with many neighbors expressing disbelief at the level of violence that took place in what should have been a safe and peaceful home. Rivas was arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court on March 1, 2026. During his arraignment, Bronx Judge Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor ordered that Rivas be held at Rikers Island without bail until his next court date. The court proceedings on March 1 revealed additional details of the attack. According to police, Rivas used a knife to stab Yesenia multiple times in the neck and torso. When her son attempted to intervene, Rivas reportedly turned the knife on him as well, inflicting serious wounds to his neck and back. Rivas allegedly fled the scene after the attack, changing his clothes and leaving the apartment before the police arrived. A bloody knife was recovered at the scene, further confirming the violent nature of the assault. Neighbors in the building reported hearing loud arguments between Rivas and Yesenia in the days leading up to the attack. However, no one could have predicted that the situation would escalate to such a violent and tragic outcome. One of the neighbors, 17-year-old Shantrice Diamond, described hearing Rivas yell, “I’m gonna stab you!” She also recalled hearing Yesenia’s voice pleading for her life, screaming, “Stop! Stop!” Then, she heard Yesenia cry out, “I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die,” before everything went silent. …
Boyfriend Arrested for Allegedly Murdering NYC Mother and Attacking Her Son. Read More