QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that a 30-year sentence has been secured this week for a gang member responsible for the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Aamir Griffin in 2019. Griffin was killed while playing basketball at a playground in Baisley Park Houses, mistakenly targeted as a rival gang member.
This sentencing is part of a broader effort by the DA’s office, which last year charged 33 alleged gang members with murder and other crimes in what Katz described as possibly the largest gang takedown in the office’s history. The crackdown focuses on the violent rivalry between Southeast Queens street gangs, primarily Money World, Local Trap Stars, and Never Forget Loyalty. The conflict, which escalated following a 2019 slashing, led to multiple incidents of violence, including the tragic death of Griffin.
Following the comprehensive indictment, there has been a notable decrease in shootings in the area where Aamir was murdered. Katz emphasized the continued commitment of her office to combat gun violence and gang activity, stressing the importance of safety for children in community spaces and the ongoing struggle against illegal firearms.
While justice has been served in this case, DA Katz acknowledged the enduring pain Aamir’s family faces and reaffirmed her office’s dedication to preventing future tragedies by removing illegal guns and their users from the streets.