Westchester Man Indicted In New Year's Eve 2021 Cold Case Homicide Investigation

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The wheel of justice are moving forward in the case of a nearly five year old homicide.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that 43-year-old Shawn McLaurin, of Yonkers, was indicted for the 2021 New Year's Eve cold case murder of 49-year-old Shawn Jefferson in White Plains.

McLaurin was arraigned on Wednesday for felony second-degree murder, and felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

McLaurin is scheduled to appear back in Court on Oct. 28.

SEE ALSO:

• Murder Charge After Arrest Made In New Year's Eve 2021 Cold Case Homicide Investigation

• White Plains Man Dies After Being Shot On New Year's Eve

"This indictment is the result of years of tireless work and collaboration between the White Plains Police Department, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office Cold Case Bureau and Criminal Investigators Squad, and the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force," DA Cacace said. "While nothing can erase the immense grief Shawn Jefferson's family has suffered, today's actions bring us one step closer to holding the defendant accused of this vicious crime accountable. Our law enforcement partnerships remain critical in solving cold cases and ensuring violent offenders are brought to justice."

On Dec. 31, 2021, around 11:51 p.m., prosecutors say that after a physical altercation with Jefferson on Ferris Avenue in White Plains, McLaurin shot him six times in the chest and torso with a 9mm firearm while Jefferson was sitting in the driver's seat of his vehicle outside his home near North Kensico Avenue. After Jefferson crawled out of his vehicle and onto the ground, McLaurin allegedly then fired a seventh shot and fled the scene.

Officers from the White Plains Police Department responded to the scene and found Jefferson suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was taken to White Plains Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:29 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2022.

After an investigation led by the White Plains Police Department, with assistance from the Westchester County DA's Office Cold Case Bureau and Criminal Investigators Squad, and the FBI's Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, McLaurin was arrested earlier this month, on July 12.

"This indictment is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when local, county, and federal agencies stand united in pursuit of the truth," White Plains Police Commissioner Wade C. Hardy said. "While years have passed since the tragic loss of Mr. Jefferson, the resolve of our detectives never wavered. I commend the outstanding work of the White Plains Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit and Criminal Investigators. Their persistent, detailed work ensured that this case moved from an arrest to a formal indictment, reaffirming our promise to this community that time will never ease our commitment to the pursuit of justice for everyone."

The Westchester County Department of Laboratories and Research and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety's Forensic Identification Unit also assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Cold Case Bureau Chief Daniel Flecha and Homicide Bureau Chief Brian Bendish.