Press Release
TEENAGER CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR MARCH SHOOTING DEATH OF 16-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO HAD JUST EXITED BUS ON LIBERTY AVENUE
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a 16-year-old male has been charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon for the broad daylight shooting of another teen after both children exited the Q83 MTA bus in Jamaica on March 26.
District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, a 16-year-old made the devastating choice to settle a disagreement with a gun and now the family of another teen is mourning the tragic loss of their child. This case is an example of the senseless gun violence that endangers public safety and takes the lives of too many of our children.”
The defendant, a 16-year-old from St. Albans, is charged with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was arraigned yesterday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Glenda Hernandez, who ordered him to return to court today. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
According to the charges, on March 26, at approximately 2:20 p.m., 16-year-old Sincere Jazmin exited the Q83 MTA bus on Liberty Avenue near 173rd Street at the same time as the defendant.
Upon exiting the bus, the defendant – who was wearing a mask – allegedly pulled out a gun and fired once at Jazmin, striking the teen in the torso. The shooter then fled toward 173rd Street.
The victim ran across Liberty Avenue, towards 172nd Street, and collapsed at a nearby deli. Jazmin was rushed to a nearby hospital but died from the gunshot wound.
The defendant, who is also 16 years old, allegedly fled New York and surrendered to the 103rd police precinct yesterday morning.
The investigation was conducted by Officer Karina Lucero of the 103rd Precinct Detective Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant Antwon Trent, commanding officer of the Detective Squad, and Detective David Pulice of the Queens South Homicide Squad under the supervision of Lieutenant Stephen Faber, commanding officer of the Queens South Homicide Squad, with assistance from Detective Timothy Cinque of the Queens Warrants Squad.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Brewer of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Barry Frankenstein, Deputy Chief and Jonathan Sennett, Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.
**Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.