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September 2, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 36 | www.eastchesterreview.com

Tuckahoe man charged in Chappaqua shooting By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

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OPEN Bronxville Diner opened for business on Aug. 22, after two years of preparation and construction. Located at 112 Kraft Ave., the diner features décor reminiscent of the 1950s and ‘60s. For story, see page 6. Photo/Corey Stockton

ECAP prepares needy students for school year By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The Eastchester Community Action Program, ECAP, supplied local children with backpacks and school materials on Aug. 31 in preparation for the upcoming school year. At least a dozen organizations, local companies and individuals donated backpacks and school supplies to the ECAP, which then gave those materials to families in need during its backpack giveaway. Don Brown, ECAP’s director, said, “Almost everyone who comes through our door, they know that ECAP is here to help those low-income families, whether it’s senior citizens on

fixed incomes or even families who traditionally have been doing well until someone got ill or someone lost a job.” But in September, when students entering schools in Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe between kindergarten and 12th grade are in need of the supplies required by their schools, ECAP sifts through school lists to prepare backpacks filled with the materials needed at each grade level. Brown said each filled bag costs between about $20 for the lower grades and nearly $35 for high school students. Ana Costa, ECAP’s youth director, said families who came in need of a backpack were also able to collect non-perishable

food from the organization’s food pantry. According to Brown, the Eastchester Rotary Club was the biggest sponsor of backpacks; it contributed about 80 percent of the bags. Hazel Alexander-Campbell, director of the Committee Working for All Children, an organization which worked in tandem with ECAP to collect and distribute backpacks and supplies, said the Tuckahoe Police Organization and the Eastchester Firefighters Local 916 union are also among the largest and most consistent donors. Other donors included Westchester Funeral Home, Harpo’s Car Service, Value Drugs, the Eastchester Italian-American

Club, town councilmen Luigi Marcoccia and Joe Dooley, town Councilwoman Theresa Nicholson and other independent residents. However, Alexander-Campbell said this year’s donor list is shorter than that of previous years. ECAP, an arm of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, also known as WestCOP, serves Eastchester and its villages with programs throughout the year, including monthly food pantries, holiday toy drives, after-school programs and summer programs for children. When this year’s summer program ended on Aug. 12, ECAP continued on page 8

A Tuckahoe resident has been charged with attempted murder by the New Castle Police Department, after allegedly shooting up a Chappaqua deli on Aug. 29. According to New Castle police, Hengjun Chao, 49, a Tuckahoe resident, fired a shotgun loaded with buckshot near Lange’s Little Store and Delicatessen, injuring two. New Castle Town Judge Noah Sorkin remanded Chao without bail, and issued a oneyear protection order for an individual whose name was not released. Chao reportedly fired a shot outside the deli on 382 King St. in Chappaqua at about 7 a.m. One of the victims was Dr. Dennis Charney, the dean of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Chao had worked as an assistant professor and medical researcher from 2002 until 2009, when he was fired by Charney for research misconduct. Charney accused him of intentionally misrepresenting research results and attempting to convince a colleague to do the same. In 2010, Chao filed a lawsuit with a state district court against Charney, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical School, and several other defendants, claiming that his termination for research misconduct was an act of defamation and a violation of his contract, and also claimed that he was discriminated against based on his race. The judge hearing the case dismissed the claim in December 2010. Following the shooting, Chao

was charged with attempted murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, which could result in a life sentence if he is convicted. Chao allegedly targeted Charney, and also struck a bystander whose name has not been released by police. Both victims were transported to Westchester County Medical Center and are expected to survive. According to the medical school’s website, Charney’s research is focused on treating depression and other mood and anxiety disorders. He is one of the longest-serving deans in any medical school in the country. Shotgun pellets had punctured holes in the glass doors of the deli during the shooting. As of press time, the doors and glass panes have not been replaced. Chao is being held at Westchester County Jail and is due back in court on Sept. 7. Lange’s Little Store and Delicatessen is located about 1 mile from the home of former President Bill Clinton and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The deli was featured in Clinton’s initial campaign announcement video in April 2015. The village of Chappaqua is about 17 miles north of the village of Tuckahoe. Chao has lived in Tuckahoe since at least May of last year, according to Westchester County property records. He immigrated to the United States from China in 1997, and took a position as an assistant professor and medical researcher in 2002. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com