Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shaquan Butler was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison today for killing his 3-year-old son in an Elmhurst shelter. A jury convicted Butler of murder, assault and other charges for the death of his son and the physical abuse of the boy’s younger sibling.

District Attorney Katz said: “Shaquan Bulter Jr. received brutal blows that cut his life short instead of the protection and care he deserved. Today’s sentence is justice for Shaquan, Jr. and his younger brother, but it is a solemn closure. If you and your family need assistance, please contact our domestic violence helpline at 718-286-4410. Someone is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Butler, 29, of Elmhurst, was convicted by a jury in August of murder in the second degree, assault in the second degree and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant sentenced the defendant today to 32 years to life in prison.

According to the charges and trial testimony, on November 13, 2022, Butler resided in a family shelter at an Elmhurst hotel with his 3-year-old son, Shaquan Butler, Jr., two additional children and the children’s mother. At approximately 7:40 p.m., the children’s mother called 911 reporting that Shaquan, Jr. was not breathing.

EMTs found the 3-year-old child lying naked on the floor with visible bruises covering his entire body, including three large bruises on his forehead. Butler told EMTs he attempted to save his son when he choked while eating. The child was taken to a local hospital where he died.

The medical examiner determined the deceased boy had multiple blunt force injuries to his torso. The victim also had three lacerations of the liver and substantial internal bleeding. The child suffered 23 fractures to his ribs, some sustained between a few days to a week prior to his death. According to the examination there was no evidence of airway obstruction, and the child’s stomach was empty.

Medical examination of the boy’s brother, then 2 years old, revealed malnutrition and physical injuries consistent with child abuse.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Koo under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.