FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Three Hoolie Gang Members Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Violent Crimes Including the Death of One-Year-Old Davell Gardner Jr.
Defendants Were Engaged in Gang War with Rival Street Gang;
Responsible for Three Murders and Six Shootings in Which the Victims Survived
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that three defendants variously convicted in a series of gang-related homicides and shootings, including the shooting death of Davell Gardner Jr., who was just 22 months old when he was shot and killed during a cookout in Bedford-Stuyvesant, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. A fourth defendant will be sentenced at a later date.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy sentences must send a message to those engaged in gun violence that it will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. Senseless gang rivalries perpetrated by these defendants left six people injured and three people dead, including Davell Gardner Jr., who was shot in the abdomen. Little Davell never got to celebrate his second birthday. My heart breaks for his mother and father and all the families and victims affected by such devastating gun violence. I commend my prosecutors and the NYPD for their determination to bring these defendants to justice.”
The District Attorney identified the defendants as Travis Scott, 36, of Bedford-Stuyvesant; Dashawn Austin, 28, of Canarsie; Jayquan Lane, 31, of Bedford-Stuyvesant; and Akeem Artis, 27, of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendants were variously convicted of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree murder, and other charges (see defendant addendum) following a six-month jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The defendants were sentenced today by Justice Chun as follows: Scott was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison; Austin was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison; Artis was sentenced to 40 years in prison; Lane’s sentencing was adjourned to June 18, 2024.
The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendants are members of a violent street gang known as Hoolies, primarily based in and around the Roosevelt Housing Development in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The evidence presented at trial showed that the reason for Hoolies to commit acts of violence include retaliation against rival gangs and to display the gang’s strength.
Between May 2018 and May 2021, the Hoolies territory included 721 Willoughby Avenue and 303 Vernon Avenue, as well as the New York City Housing Authority Roosevelt Houses development and the surrounding area from Kosciuszko Street to Pulaski Street in between Marcus Garvey Boulevard to Stuyvesant Avenue.
The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 12, 2020, Dashawn Austin was seen entering the passenger seat of an Audi driven by Akeem Artis that turned on to Madison Street, near a park where there was a cookout. Austin fired into the park, striking Davell Gardner Jr., 22 months old, who later died, and three other people. Austin was convicted of second-degree murder and Artis was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for that shooting death. Austin was convicted of three counts of second-degree attempted murder and Artis was convicted of three counts of first-degree attempted assault in connection with the other three innocent victims struck in the park shooting. Artis was also convicted of one count of second-degree attempted murder in connection with a June 24, 2020, shooting.
Furthermore, according to the evidence, on March 3, 2020, Dashawn Austin and Jayquan Lane entered the Kinanm Lounge on Atlantic Avenue where alleged gang rival Janile Whitted was in attendance. They followed him when he left the lounge, and Austin fired several shots into his chest at close range, killing him. Austin and Lane were convicted of second-degree murder in that shooting death.
Travis Scott was also convicted of second-degree murder for the December 4, 2018 shooting death of Tyree Walker, 35, who was not a rival, as he walked towards his home on Myrtle Avenue, and of second-degree attempted murder for shooting and paralyzing a 23-year-old man that same night.
The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney and Chief of Staff Nicole L. Chavis, Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Trial Division Joseph P. Alexis, and Senior Assistant District Attorneys Michael Diamond and Fabiola Marrufo, of the District Attorneys Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:
Akeem Artis
-
- Manslaughter in the 1st
- Assault in the 1st – 3 counts
- Attempt Murder in the 2nd
- Reckless Endangerment in the 1st
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Intent
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Outside the home or place of business
- Conspiracy in the 4th
Jayquan Lane
-
- Murder in the 2nd degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Intent
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Outside the home or place of business
- Conspiracy in the 2nd
- Conspiracy in the 4th
Travis Scott
-
- Murder in the Second degree
- Attempt Murder in the Second Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Intent ( 2 counts)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Outside the home or place of business (2 Count)
- Conspiracy in the 2nd
- Conspiracy in the 4th
Dashawn Austin
-
- Murder in the 2nd(2 counts)
- Attempted Murder in the 2nd (3 counts)
- Reckless Endangerment in the 1st
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Intent (2 Count)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd – Outside the home or place of business (2 Counts)
- Conspiracy in the 2nd
- Conspiracy in the 4th