About Gary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 14, 2025

Retired Police Officer Indicted for Unlawfully Searching NYPD Database and Sending Information to Friend in Alleged Bribery Scheme

Unauthorized Shared Info Included Arrest Warrants, Incident Reports and More,
Pertaining to the Friend – who was also charged – and Suspects in ATM Burglary Ring

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former police officer and his alleged accomplice have been indicted for an alleged bribery scheme in which the officer allegedly conducted unauthorized searches while assigned to Brooklyn Criminal Court. The information, which included confidential reports and warrants, was allegedly exchanged for promised monetary payments.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly betrayed his badge when he provided confidential information to people accused of crimes. This was a shocking abuse of the trust he was granted and an example of corruption that could have led to serious public safety consequences. We have now indicted him and his alleged bribery partner and will work to hold them responsible.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Richard Arce, 54, of Yonkers, NY and Raymond Ramos, 42, of the Bronx. Arce was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 114-count indictment charging him with third-degree bribe receiving, fifth- and sixth-degree conspiracy, unauthorized use of a computer, and official misconduct. He was arrested last week by U.S. Marshals in the Dominican Republic. Ramos was arraigned in January 2025 on third-degree bribery, second-degree rewarding official misconduct, and fifth-degree conspiracy. Arce was released without bail and both defendants were ordered to return to court on May 7, 2025.

The District Attorney said that Arce was an NYPD officer from 2008 until he retired in 2023. He served in the Transit Bureau in the Bronx, and in February 2022, he was assigned to the Brooklyn Criminal Court section at 120 Schermerhorn Street. It is alleged that from approximately March 2021 through February 2023, Arce ran unauthorized searches for proprietary law enforcement information at the request of Ramos in exchange for promises of typically $40 to $50 per search.

The investigation revealed over 70 unauthorized searches for individuals including Ramos, Alexander Torres and Jesus Cedeno – who are defendants in an ATM burglary ring case, as well as other associates of Ramos. The searches were for arrest warrants, police reports and for license plates associated with vehicles owned or operated by Ramos. He allegedly ran these searches despite directives from the NYPD Patrol Guide, which requires NYPD officers to make inquiries which relate to official business only, and to only divulge information obtained from the system for valid law enforcement purposes. Arce allegedly used his NYPD issued cell phone to transmit the information via text messages.

For instance, the evidence shows that on October 23, 2022, Arce, while assigned to Criminal Court, texted Ramos two screenshots, one showing that Ramos had an active bench warrant from the Bronx. The next day, Arce texted, “Don’t forget the $25 cuz.” On November 11, 2022, Arce provided Ramos information indicating that he is a suspect in a commercial burglary in Manhattan, which included the name and contact information of the complainant.

The evidence further shows that, on November 1, 2022, Arce sent screenshots pertaining to Alexander Torres, which indicated he had two suspect warrants. The next day, Ramos asked for information about Jesus Cedeno, to which Arce replied, “Nope. No $. No Honey.” Torres and Cedeno were later indicted for participating in numerous burglaries of ATM machines. They have since pleaded guilty.

The case was investigated by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

The District Attorney thanked the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for their assistance in apprehending the defendant.

The District Attorney thanked the KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance on this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Nicole Lauterbach and Corey Hardin, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Driver Who Allegedly Blew Through Stop Sign and Struck School Bus,
Killing His Own Passenger, Arraigned on Indictment for Manslaughter

Defendant Allegedly Fled the Scene in an Uber Before Being Arrested

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with manslaughter and related charges for allegedly speeding and blowing through a stop sign, before crashing into a school bus, leaving his 26-year-old passenger dead and the school bus driver injured. No passengers were on the bus at the time of the incident.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant’s reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds. His actions showed a shocking disregard for human life and safety, made worse by his attempt to flee the scene instead of helping the victim. We are committed to holding him fully accountable and will continue to prioritize the safety of every Brooklyn resident.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyree Epps, 32, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, disobeying stop signs, driving in excess of maximum speed limits, and unlicensed driver. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 20, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on February 27, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 southbound on Van Sinderen Avenue towards Blake Avenue in East New York with a passenger, Imani Vance, 26, in the front seat. At the corner of Van Sinderen and Blake, the defendant allegedly blew through a stop sign at a high rate of speed and collided with a school bus that was driving on Blake Avenue. When the defendant allegedly crashed into the school bus his passenger was thrown into the windshield and hit her head. When the defendant hit the bus, it crashed into a third, unoccupied vehicle. The bus driver, a 57-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries.

Imani Vance was taken to Brookdale Hospital where she was pronounced dead due to blunt impact injuries to the torso, including a laceration to the heart.

The defendant allegedly fled the crash scene on foot, jumped into an Uber, and ordered the driver to drive away. Police had a description of the Uber and were able to stop it, at which time the defendant alleged fled on foot and was chased and apprehended by the NYPD.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer DaRin, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando, Deputy Chief of the Red Zone, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Chief of the Red Zone.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Man Who Shot and Killed One Man, Injured Another in Bushwick, And Then Shot at a Police Officer in Bedford-Stuyvesant Sentenced to 40 Years to Life in Prison

Defendant Fled from Homicide and When Confronted by Police Officers, Opened Fire

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for fatally shooting one man, shooting and injuring another man and then opening fire at a police officer a short time later – striking and injuring the officer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant brazenly opened fire twice in one night, killing one man and seriously wounding two others, including a police officer. Thankfully, they both recovered, and the defendant was apprehended immediately. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Boyce Hayward, 30, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 40 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree attempted murder, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on February 21, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 12, 2021, at approximately 11:11 p.m., at the corner of Madison Street and Broadway, in the confines of the 83rd Precinct, the defendant approached a BMW SUV stopped at a light and fired multiple shots into the vehicle’s passenger side window, striking and killing Randall Roberts, 28, and seriously injuring the driver of the vehicle. The defendant then walked away from the scene. The shooting was witnessed by an off-duty police officer who provided a detailed description of the defendant.

Minutes later, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the defendant was observed walking along Howard Avenue, near Saratoga Park, between Halsey Street and Macon Street in the 83rd Precinct, about four blocks from where he had just shot and killed Randall Roberts.

Police Officers Brian McGurran, Matthew Perry and Sergeant Kevin Beasley, of the 81st Precinct, saw the defendant after they received information regarding the shooting at Madison Street and Broadway.

Police Officer McGurran walked towards the defendant, who immediately turned around and fired at Officer McGurran multiple times. The police officers returned fire, including Officer McGurran, who was struck multiple times. The defendant was also struck.

The evidence showed that the defendant fired at Officer McGurran at least five times, with two of those shots striking him – one in his vest and one in his buttocks and through his thigh. The defendant was shot in the buttocks by police.

The District Attorney thanked Executive Paralegal Franklyn Arias, Homicide Paralegal John Homnick, Intelligence Analyst Selena Collado, of the Digital Evidence Lab, NYPD Detective Vincent DeMarino, of the 83rd Precinct, NYPD Detective James McDermott of the Force Investigation Division, and Retired Detective Alexander Grandstaff, of Brooklyn North Homicide for there work on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert P. Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Hit-and-Run Driver Sentenced to up to 12 Years in Prison for
Killing Woman on Motorized Scooter in Bedford Stuyvesant

Defendant Did Not Stop After He Sped Through Red Light and Collided with Victim

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been sentenced to four to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to reckless manslaughter in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The defendant sped through a red light and struck the 43-year-old victim on a motorized scooter before leaving the scene.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant was speeding and ran a red light, causing a tragic crash that took a women’s life. After a thorough investigation, he has now been held accountable for his reckless and criminal conduct. My office is committed to improving the safety of Brooklyn’s streets, and I hope the family and friends of Bernadine Lewis find a measure of solace with today’s sentence, knowing this defendant has been held responsible and will be off our roadways.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mike Josie, 26, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Robles to an indeterminate sentence of four to 12 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on February 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 24, 2022, at about 2:14 a.m., the defendant was driving a Hyundai Elantra west on Lexington Avenue when he ran a red light at the intersection of Throop Avenue. The defendant was traveling in excess of 45 m.p.h. in a 25-m.p.h. zone when he struck the victim, Bernadine Lewis, 43, in the intersection. The collision knocked the victim off her moped and onto the ground.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, video surveillance captured the defendant driving off without stopping. The defendant never reported the collision to police.

Ms. Lewis was taken to Kings County Hospital where she died of her injuries.

The defendant was arrested on April 18, 2023, following an investigation led by NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 24, 2025

Brooklyn Financial Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Approximately $1.24 Million from 10 Clients in Ponzi Scheme

Allegedly Promised High Returns on Business Investments,

Used Stolen Funds to Pay for Personal Expenses

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a licensed Brooklyn financial advisor has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $1.24 million from 10 people to whom he issued promissory notes with high rates of return.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars by persuading unsuspecting individuals to invest with false promises of high returns. Investors should be mindful that guaranteed high returns—especially without clear business details—are often a red flag. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable and secure justice for those affected.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marat Likhtenstein, 64, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with eight counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and 10 counts of violating General Business Law Section 352-C (6). The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 21, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, between November 2015 and March 2025, the defendant operated a fraudulent scheme using promissory notes to induce individuals to invest in purported business opportunities. He allegedly claimed he could not discuss the details of the business opportunities with the investors but promised to pay them 20 percent interest pursuant to the notes.

Furthermore, it is alleged, instead of investing the funds in business opportunities, the defendant used the money for personal expenses and to make partial payments to earlier victims of the Ponzi scheme.

At the time of the alleged scheme the defendant was a FINRA-licensed financial advisor and a New York State licensed insurance agent registered to sell securities and insurance products through Likhtenstein Financial Planning Inc. His office was located on Avenue V in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The investigation began following a complaint to the District Attorney’s Action Center.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or to send an email to LikhtensteinComplaints@brooklynda.org.

Chief Financial Investigator Ludwig Sanchez and Financial Investigator Jose Carlos Covas, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and KCDA Detective Investigators all assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi, Special Counsel for Complex Investigations, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 17, 2025

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him With
Attempted Rape of Woman Jogging in Park

Defendant Fled After Motorcyclist Rode by the Scene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted rape, robbery as a sexually motivated felony and other charges for allegedly grabbing a woman jogger from behind, throwing her to the ground and attempting to rape her in Shirley Chisholm State Park.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is alleged to have followed the victim during a daylight jog and attempt to rape her. Luckily, he was foiled by a stranger. Thanks to painstaking work of state troopers and my office he was identified and will now be brought to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Amadou Kane, 22, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which he is charged with first-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree attempted rape, first-degree attempted sexual abuse, attempted forcible touching, and related charges. Bail was set at $150,000 cash or $350,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 25, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 12, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the victim, a 51-year-old woman, was jogging in Shirley Chisholm State Park when she saw a man ride a bicycle towards her and then past her. Moments later, she was grabbed from behind, thrown to the ground, and punched multiple times. While wrestling with the man on the ground she pulled off his mask and allegedly recognized him as the man on the bicycle.

The defendant allegedly told the woman he had a knife and that he would kill her. He then allegedly told her to pull down her pants and he began to pull down his pants. The defendant fled when he heard a stranger approaching on a motorcycle, taking the victim’s Apple watch from her wrist. The victim called 911 and ran to a nearby park ranger for help. New York State Troopers conducted a canvass for surveillance video and captured the defendant fleeing the park on his bicycle to a nearby shop where he used Apple Pay to buy a bottle of water.

The defendant was identified following a lengthy investigation using financial records, cell site data and social media.

The District Attorney thanked Special Victims Bureau Paralegal Diamond Bertrand for her assistance on the case.

The case was investigated by Investigators Christopher Miller, Juan Orejuela and Dimitrios Papadatos of the New York State Troopers.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Jacobi and Assistant District Attorney Christina Oddo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Ebonie Legrand, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not a proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Reputed Gang member Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for
Shooting Rival During the West Indian Day Parade

 Arrived at Scene With Loaded Pistol Before Fight Broke Out
With Rival Gang; Convicted of First-Degree Assault

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a 25-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting a rival gang member during a confrontation at the Western Indian Day Parade in 2023. Trial evidence showed that the defendant came to the scene with a loaded pistol, looking for violence, and that his group confronted the rival gang upon seeing them.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This case demonstrates the dangers our communities face from gang members who have no regard for human life and are willing to open fire amid a crowded parade. My office is determined to keep holding those who commit shootings fully responsible, as we have in this case. This uncompromising approach is part of the reason that Brooklyn experienced the safest year in terms of gun violence in 2024, with shootings and homicides continuing to decrease this year.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ricardo Brown, 25, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson to 10 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision. The defendant was convicted last month of first-degree assault after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 4, 2023, just before 5:20 p.m., the defendant and a group of up to 10 young men left a building near Sterling Place and Utica Avenue in Crown Heights that’s known to be the headquarters of the Stain Gang. That crew, which the defendant belongs to, has an ongoing rivalry with a gang called 487.

The evidence showed that the defendant, armed with a loaded .380 caliber pistol, went to the parade with his group and confronted the victim and a group of his friends in front of 1187 Eastern Parkway, which is 487 territory. A fight broke out almost immediately after the two groups saw each other. The defendant pulled out his gun and fired two shots – one struck the victim in the back and the second hit the windshield of a passing fire truck. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the immediate vicinity of the shooting.

The victim was treated almost instantaneously by first responders who were stationed along the parade route, likely saving his life. The bullet entered his back, exited the stomach and was lodged in his hand, and he also suffered fractured ribs and a lacerated liver from the through-and-through gunshot wound, requiring surgery, intubation and hospitalization.

The defendant fled immediately after the shooting, tossed the pistol in a driveway between two daycares and ultimately returned to the Stain Gang headquarters. A man attending the parade found the gun and informed responding officers. Ballistic analysis matched the weapon to the two shell casings recovered at the scene.

Paralegal Jamal Marshall, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, and Forensic Analyst Tina Razack, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, assisted in prosecuting this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg and Assistant District Attorney Shelby Mitchell of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 3, 2025

Former Brooklyn Teacher Pleads Guilty to Using Child in
Sexual Performance and Endangering the Welfare of Children
For Coaxing Teens to Send Him Sexual Images

Will Be Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Soliciting Photos and Videos and Engaging in
Graphic Conversations with Six Young Victims Attending Elite Schools

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 38-year-old former math teacher pleaded guilty to use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence and sex offender registration. With this plea, the defendant admitted to enticing or trying to entice teenage students from four Brooklyn independent schools to send him images of nudity and sexual performances. A former teacher at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, he pretended to be a young teen and fellow student when engaging in conversations of a sexual nature over the messaging application Snapchat.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s plea holds this defendant responsible for his disturbing and predatory conduct while sparing young and vulnerable victims from ever having to testify about their traumatic experiences. This kind of exploitation of children, made even more distressing by the fact that the defendant was a trusted school figure, will never be tolerated in Brooklyn and we will continue to expose and root it out. I would like to acknowledge the detectives and prosecutors from my office who investigated this complicated case and ensured that justice is done.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Winston Nguyen, 38, of Harlem, New York. He pleaded guilty today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phillip Tisne to one count of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony, and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in exchange for a promised sentence of seven years in prison, 10 years’ post-release supervision and sex offender registration. Sentencing was scheduled for March 17, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant presented himself as a young teen when having conversations with children on Snapchat. He was charged with crimes against six children who went to various elite independent schools in Brooklyn.

The charged incidents took place between October 2022 and May 2024, when the victims were between the ages of 13 and 15 years old. The defendant used two Snapchat accounts, hunterkristoff and haircutbongos, to contact the victims, pretending to be a teenage boy. The defendant sent nude images and videos that depicted a teenage boy masturbating to the victims. The defendant also used the accounts to engage in prolonged conversations that described and depicted various sexual acts and got the victims to send images and videos of the victims engaged in sexual performance to him through the Snapchat accounts.

According to the investigation, the two Snapchat accounts mentioned above were connected to IP addresses associated with the defendant, including his Harlem residence, other evidence includes digital communications and images, and accounts from victims.

The case was investigated by KCDA Detective Investigators, with the assistance of Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talukder and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Brian Newcombe, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Westchester Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder and Other Charges for
Allegedly Pushing Stranger onto Subway Tracks

Defendant Approached Victim from Behind and Shoved Him

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Westchester man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted murder, assault, and other charges for allegedly shoving a stranger onto the subway tracks at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays station in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying attack that is the nightmare of every New Yorker who uses the subway. Luckily, the victim was able to lift himself from the tracks moments before a subway train entered the station. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged, horrifying actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Andrew Pashinin, 19, of Harrison, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Herbert Moses on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, first- and second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, third-degree menacing, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was ordered held without bail pending a psychiatric examination and to return to court on April 2, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 7, 2024, at approximately 11:35 a.m., on the south bound D train platform of the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays station the defendant allegedly pulled out a knife and walked behind a 33-year-old man standing on the platform. He then put the knife away, pulled out a camera and began recording the man.

The defendant and the man got into a verbal dispute and the man walked away from the defendant, who then followed the man and allegedly shoved him from behind onto the subway tracks. The victim was able to get himself off the tracks and onto the platform seconds before a train entered the station. He sustained pain and bruising.

The defendant fled the scene and was arrested on January 21, 2025, after police identified him from a wanted flyer.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Infante, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Manhattan Man Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison for
Shooting and Killing Teenager at Baby Shower in Queens

Defendant Fired Five Shots at SUV Carrying 19-year-old Victim

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a young man outside a baby shower. The defendant opened fire on a BMW driven by his intended target, and instead struck the victim, who was in the passenger seat. The investigation began in Brooklyn after the victim was dropped off at a Brooklyn hospital.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was an appalling act of gun violence that turned a celebration of new life into senseless tragedy. We have zero tolerance for shootings in our communities, and today’s sentence sends a message that those who commit this type of violence will face serious consequences. My condolences go out to the family of Reon Cambridge for their tremendous loss.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tajai Holman, 27, of Manhattan. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo to 19 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder on December 17, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 6, 2021, at approximately 9:50 p.m., the defendant arrived at a baby shower on Weirfield Street in Ridgewood, Queens. The defendant was carrying a loaded 9-millimeter Luger pistol. At some point, the defendant became upset with another guest. When the guest left the event, at approximately 12:53 a.m., the defendant ran after their 2018 BMW X6 M and fired five times at the rear of the vehicle. None of the shots struck the BMW, which was carrying 19-year-old Reon Cambridge in the passenger seat.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, approximately an hour later, at 1:52 a.m., the guest drove back to the baby shower with Cambridge again in the passenger seat. The defendant stepped in front of the vehicle and fired five more times. Cambridge was struck once in the forehead. He was dropped off at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he died.

The defendant was arrested on May 19, 2021, following an investigation by the 67th Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and the Bureau of Litigation Technology for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Amanda Schaefer, also of the Red Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Chow Yun Xie, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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