The arrest of Ahmet Gashi, a 42-year-old Kosovar native, brings a long-awaited closure to a cold case that haunted the Bronx for nearly two decades. Gashi stands accused of the murder of Kemal Kolenovic, a 28-year-old professional welterweight boxer from Montenegro, on New Year’s Eve in 2006. The incident, stemming from a bar fight that spilled onto the streets, tragically claimed the life of Kolenovic, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of a senseless act of violence.
The fateful night unfolded outside a bar on Belmont Avenue in the Fordham section of the Bronx. An altercation erupted between Gashi and two other men, quickly escalating into a physical confrontation. As the fight intensified, Gashi retreated to his Mitsubishi SUV. In a reckless and fatal decision, he mounted the curb, aiming his vehicle at the men with whom he had been brawling. However, his actions resulted in the unintended death of Kolenovic, who was struck by the vehicle and propelled into a tree, sustaining a fatal head injury.
Kolenovic, a promising athlete with a future ahead of him, was tragically caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had no involvement in the initial dispute, becoming an unwitting victim of Gashi’s impulsive and violent act. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, leaving Kolenovic’s family and friends grappling with the sudden and senseless loss of a young life.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Gashi fled the scene, escaping the grasp of law enforcement and vanishing into the Balkan region. Despite initial efforts to locate and question him, Gashi successfully evaded capture for 18 years, becoming a ghost that haunted the memory of the tragic New Year’s Eve incident. The case grew cold, leaving investigators with few leads and Kolenovic’s family without answers.
The breakthrough finally came earlier this year when Serbian police apprehended Gashi. The specifics surrounding his capture remain undisclosed, but it marked a turning point in the long-dormant investigation. Following his arrest, Gashi was transferred into the custody of the US Marshals, who facilitated his extradition back to the United States to face justice for his alleged crime.
Gashi’s arrival at Central Booking in the Bronx on Friday night signifies the beginning of the legal process that will hopefully bring closure to Kolenovic’s family. The arrest, while long overdue, represents a significant victory for law enforcement, demonstrating the unwavering pursuit of justice even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impulsive violence and the importance of accountability, even after years of evasion. The upcoming legal proceedings will shed further light on the events of that tragic night and hopefully provide a measure of solace to those affected by Kolenovic’s untimely death.
