Cyndi Lauper's Son Arrested and Charged with Gun Possession in N.Y.C.

The singer's son, Declyn Lauper, was previously arrested and charged with felony unauthorized use of a vehicle in July 2022

Cyndi Lauper and son Declyn “Dex” Lauper pose at the Tribecca Film Festival premiere after party for the Cyndi Lauper documentary "Let the Canary Sing" at Serafina UWS on June 14, 2023
Cyndi Lauper and son Declyn in New York City in June 2023. Photo:

Bruce Glikas/Getty 

Cyndi Lauper's son Declyn Lauper has been released from jail after he was arrested and charged with allegedly illegally carrying a loaded firearm in New York City.

Per the New York Daily News, the 26-year-old — who is the only child of the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer and her husband David Thornton — was taken into police custody moments after a 24-year-old male was shot Wednesday night in Harlem on W. 112th St. near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

In the criminal complaint filed in Manhattan Criminal Court per the New York Daily News, Declyn was apprehended nearby after the shooting. He allegedly possessed a fanny pack that contained a loaded Glock with seven bullets in its magazine. The complaint said Lauper possessed the weapon “with intent to use it unlawfully against another,” and he was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a firearm.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Declyn Lauper Thornton and Cyndi Lauper attend the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)
Declyn and Cyndi Lauper in New York City in September 2021. Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage

According to the New York Post, prosecutors alleged that Declyn and another man took an Uber ride from Queens to 135th West 112th St. just before the crime occurred.

A police statement obtained by PEOPLE identified the victim as Omar Lewin and noted that he was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Lewin was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside hospital where he was said to be in stable condition, according to New York Daily News

Following his arrest, a judge set Declyn's bail at $20,000 cash, per New York’s ABC 7.

On Friday, Declyn appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court.

“The defendant and the separately apprehended individual drove to the location both with firearms to engage in what appears to be illicit activity,” Assistant District Attorney Harriet Jiranek said during his hearing. Declyn pleaded not guilty to both charges.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: Declyn Lauper poses at the Tribecca Film Festival premiere after party for the Cyndi Lauper documentary "Let the Canary Sing" at Serafina UWS on June 14, 2023 in New York City
Declyn Lauper in New York City in June 2023.

Bruce Glikas/Getty

Declyn's father, Law & Order actor Thornton, was spotted at a cashier’s window at the Manhattan Criminal Court carrying an envelope with a large sum of money just before Declyn was released on bail Friday.

Declyn is expected back in court on Tuesday. He has retained legal counsel.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Declyn, a rapper who also goes by the name “Dex," has had previous run-ins with the police. 

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Cyndi and Dex Lauper attend Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund Hosts 6th Annual Home For The Holidays Concert at Beacon Theatre on December 3, 2016 in New York City.
Cyndi and Declyn Lauper in New York City in December 2016.

Santiago Felipe/Getty

In July 2022, he was once again arrested in New York City after police allegedly found him sitting in a stolen 2014 Mercedes Benz C350, PEOPLE confirmed at the time. The then-24-year-old was taken into custody and charged with felony unauthorized use of a vehicle. 

Declyn pleaded guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court and was ordered to “stay out of trouble for one year,” the New York Post reported at the time.

Related Articles