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Eric Ross Jr., 24, of Wilmington, Delaware, was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the November 2018 murder, said Rockland County Acting District Attorney Kevin Gilleece.
“This defendant thought he could get away with murder," Gilleece said. "But, he was wrong. He will now be held accountable for the cold-blooded shooting of a local car dealer at his place of business.”
On Nov. 24, 2018, at approximately 3:09 p.m., Ross allegedly drove to Youbs Auto Sales, located at 375 Route 59, West Nyack, to confront owner Youbens Joseph of Wallkill about a Hyundai Sonata he had recently purchased from the dealer.
According to the charges, Ross was upset because he was having issues with the car. A verbal altercation erupted between Ross and Joseph, during which the dealer stated that there was nothing that he could do for Ross. Moments later, the defendant drew a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic pistol and allegedly shot Joseph, the DA's Office said.
Joseph died at Westchester Medical Center the next day as a result of his injuries.
Following the shooting, Ross immediately drove to Pennsylvania to evade capture. He allegedly hid the weapon used to kill Joseph in his car, which was later recovered by police.
On Nov. 28, 2018, he was taken into custody at a relative’s home in Pennsylvania following a police manhunt. He remained at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania until his extradition to New York to face the charges.
Ross faces life in state prison if convicted of the top count of the indictment.
Executive Assistant District Attorney Stephen Moore and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Nabeela McLeod are prosecuting the case.
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