By Madina Toure
A former resident of a Bronx homeless shelter pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting death of a Whitestone woman, who was the shelter’s director, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announced Tuesday.
West Spruill, 39, entered a not guilty plea to murder, kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon in Bronx Supreme Court, Johnson said. If convicted, Spruill faces life in prison. The case was adjourned until Thursday.
Ana Charle, 36, a native of Spain and a mother of two, was shot and killed April 27 allegedly by Spruill, a former resident of Project Renewal’s Bronx Boulevard, a homeless shelter at 4380 Bronx Blvd. in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, according to the Bronx district attorney’s office.
Spruill, who was a resident of the shelter up until early January, allegedly approached Charle as she got into her car, got in and forced her to drive to a more secluded area a block and a half away, according to Johnson.
Witnesses said she fled from the car naked and Spruill, also naked, followed her with a gun, Johnson said.
He chased her down and shot her multiple times, Johnson added. He fled on foot but was captured, clothed, not longer after and nearby, the DA said.
Charle’s 9-year-old and 11-year-old daughters are currently at the center of a custody battle between their father, Jesus Manuel Olivo, who lives in the Bronx, and Charle’s father, Dr. Carlos Charle, a retired anesthesiologist who wants to take the daughters back to Spain, the New York Post reported.
A party and silent auction, hosted by Rienas & Brown Wealth, will be held June 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rory Dolans at 890 McLean Ave. in Yonkers to raise funds for the girls’ college education. The restaurant donated the space and the food.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
