Update: Police make an arrest in Jamaica shooting

Police_Line_Crime_Scene_2498847226-300x200-1
The NYPD has made an arrest following last Saturday’s shooting on Jamaica Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway.

28-year-old Jamaica resident Elvin Hernandez was arrested in connection with the incident on Thursday, according to officials. Hernandez was charged with murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

On Saturday, September 3, three men sat in a parked car near the Van Wyck Expressway when a gunman shot multiple rounds into their car. 18-year-old Albert Schaper, from North Bergen, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. A 31-year-old was shot in each arm but is in stable condition. The third man was harmed by shattered glass.

Share

One dead, another injured in Jamaica shooting

Police_Line_Crime_Scene_2498847226-300x200-1A shooting at Jamaica Avenue and Van Wyck Expressway has left one man dead and another injured.

Police say that last Saturday at 10:30 p.m., police arrived on the scene to find two men with gunshot wounds. Both were transported by EMA to Jamaica Medical Center.

Albert Schaper, 18, a resident of North Bergen, New Jersey, was pronounced dead with a gunshot wound to his chest.

Another 31-year-old man was shot once on each arm. He is in stable condition.

Police have not made any arrests, and the investigation is ongoing.

Share

D’Aja Naquai Robinson street naming schedule for Sept. 9

Daja Robinson Co-Naming

The southeast Queens community is honoring D’Aja Naquai Robinson with a street co-naming ceremony set for Friday, September 9 at 10 a.m.

Robinson, from South Jamaica, was gunned down in May 2013 by two gang members while riding on a Q6 bus with friends. She was leaving a Sweet 16 party that day.

The ceremony will be hosted by the office of Councilman Ruben Wills. It will be at Sutphin Blvd. and Rockaway Blvd, near the Q6 bus stop and the Baisley Pond Park memorial of Robinson.

For questions, please contact 718-206-2068.

Share

R. Kelly to host “A Night to Remember”

3448098887_ecb47bb10d_o
Tonight at 8 pm at Resorts World Casino, controversial R&B star R. Kelly will host “A Night to Remember” featuring musical acts like Will Traxx, Superstar Jay and Kid Capri.

Kelly, who is most known for his hits like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition (remix),” produced music for Aaliyah’s 1994 debut album, wrote Michael Jackson’s song “You Are Not Alone” and has collaborated with Jay-Z, Nas, Sean Combs, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Traxx and Capri, both from the Bronx, have impressive experience. In addition to performing with P. Diddy, Traxx has toured with Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey and Jagged Edge. Capri has also performed with P. Diddy and has been a DJ since he was eight years old.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at Resorts World. Tickets start at $65 and doors open at 8 p.m.

Share

City ups reward for info in death of Karina Vetrano

Vetrano_4
Photo of Vetrano courtesy Instagram

The Mayor’s Office is the latest City agency to add a financial incentive for any information leading to the arrest of Karina Vetrano’s killer. The combined reward, with the Mayor’s Office adding $10,000 is up to $35,000.

In addition to the City reward, a GoFundMe page established in Vetrano’s name has now raised over $265,000 to supplement the City’s offer, bringing the reward money north of $300,000.

To donate to the GoFundMe or follow its progress, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/2javwd7g

Share

Queens Grand Jury charges Oscar Morel with first-degree murder in killing of Iman, associate

The gun found in Morel's wall that police believe may be connected with the double homicide.
The gun found in Morel’s wall that police believe may be connected with the double homicide.

A grand jury returned a five-count indictment on Monday charging 35-year-old Brooklyn man Oscar Morel with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Iman Maulana Akonjee and his associate Thara Uddin.

The two were walking home following afternoon prayers at the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in Ozone Park on August 13, when they were killed.

“The defendant’s alleged actions strike at the very heart of our county’s Muslim community,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in an statement, accompanying the news. “Both victims were gentle men of peace and their deaths are a devastating loss to their families and the community that they served. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assure them that the law enforcement community will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is done in this case.”

The indictment charges Morel with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Just days after the double homicide, police arrested Morel after he allegedly hit a cyclist and fled the scene. The cyclist gave a description of the vehicle and the plate number and it matched the description of the one captured leaving the scene of the murder.

After Morel was placed under arrest, a subsequent search yielded a .38 caliber Taurus revolver hidden in a wall, which police believe may have been the murder weapon.

Morel has been held on bail since his arrest and will be arraigned on the indictment at a later date in Queens County Supreme Court.

Share

Ozone Park infant passes away

Police are investigating the death of 4-month-old Quinn Chirichigno of 135-39 115th Street in Ozone Park.

Cops responded to a 911 last Thursday, August 18 at 2 a.m. Upon arriving at the home, they found the infant unconscious. He was then taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The police investigation is ongoing. The Medical Examine will determine his cause of death.

Share

29-year-old pedestrian killed in car crash

Police_Line_Crime_Scene_2498847226-300x200-1

Another life taken too soon.

Police say that on Tuesday, August 16, at approximately 10:36 p.m., cops responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck on Merrick Boulevard near the intersection of Victoria Road.

That victim turned out to be 29-year-old and Jamaica resident William Wine. His family has been notified.

Authorities say that officers found Wine unconscious with severe trauma to his head and body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation found that a 2001 Honda Accord was traveling along Merrick Boulevard when it struck Wine, who they say jumped the raised concrete median on the highway.

The 28-year-old driver remained at the scene, police said.

There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

Share