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Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced on Tuesday that Bronx resident Errol Hillary, 41, has been found guilty of murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and five counts of attempted murder - all felonies - for his Christmas Day shooting that left club owner O’Neal Bandoo dead and five others injured.
The court case concluded on Friday, March 23, with the jury returning the guilty verdict on Monday morning. Hillary faces 25 years to life in prison for the murder charge, as well as 25 years for each of the attempted murder charges. He is due back in court for sentencing on April 30.
According to police, at approximately 2:50 a.m. on Christmas Day in 2016, Hillary entered “The Mansion” in Mount Vernon, where there was a party being hosted by Bandoo. While inside the club, Scarpino said Hillary “became agitated and began to cause a disturbance.” When asked to leave, Hillary began fighting two security guards who attempted to forcibly remove him by dragging him to the front door.
Bandoo, the owner of the club, was standing outside with another man, a friend of Hillary’s who also served as head of security at The Mansion, when they heard the commotion, the indictment said. The two men then entered the club when Hillary grabbed a 9mm firearm and began shooting into the hallway behind him.
Hillary shot Bandoo, 36, once in the chest, killing him. Five others sustained “life-altering” injuries and were treated at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. Before he could get away, Hillary was tackled by the head of security for The Mansion, who disarmed him until police arrived.
At the time of the shooting, Hillary had been released on $200,000 bail for another shooting in the Bronx, where he was facing an attempted murder charge. That case is still pending.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas praised the police department following the shooting, which responded to the scene within seconds of the shooting, as well as the fire department and Empress Ambulance who provided additional support.
“No one should ever have to endure this pain,” he said in a statement on Christmas Day. “Mr. Bandoo was a good man who was dedicated to uplifting and serving the people of Mount Vernon. This double loss hurts and will hang heavy in our hearts.”
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