QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Dante Hunter and Shamel Capers following their indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor in Middle Village on July 23, 2023. Hunter is charged with murder, and Capers with attempted murder, among other charges.
The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 23 last year, began when a friend of Taylor’s threw a drink towards Capers and a friend outside a convenience store, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a shootout. Hunter, who joined Capers, is alleged to have fired the round that killed Taylor. The exchange of gunfire resulted in more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings recovered at the scene.
Hunter, 25, of Far Rockaway, faces charges including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Capers, 24, of Brooklyn, faces charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. Both defendants could face up to 25 years to life if convicted of their respective top charges.
The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Christopher Gerardi of the NYPD’s 104th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Lizabeth Klein of the Queens North Homicide Squad. Capers was arrested on May 16 in New Jersey and has been extradited to New York to face charges, while Hunter was already in custody on a parole warrant at the time of the indictment. Justice Michael Aloise has scheduled their next court appearance for June 18.
- NYPD searches for missing 13-year-old girl last seen leaving Manhattan school
BROOKLYN, NY — The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 13-year-old Asia Williams, who was reported missing after leaving her Manhattan school earlier this week.
Williams, who resides in Brooklyn within the confines of the 75th Precinct, was last seen on Tuesday, May 6, at approximately 1:45 p.m. leaving her school located at 525 West 50th Street in the Midtown North Precinct.
She is described as a Black female, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 100 pounds, with brown eyes and black braided hair. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and black and white sneakers.
The NYPD has not released additional details regarding the circumstances of her disappearance but continues to actively investigate the case.
Anyone with information on Asia Williams’ whereabouts is urged to contact the NYPD or visit a local precinct.
- Gunfire erupts during Bronx apartment brawl, 20-year-old shot in hip
BRONX, N.Y. — A chaotic altercation between two groups inside a Morris Avenue apartment building escalated into gunfire Monday evening, leaving a 20-year-old man wounded, police said.
The incident unfolded around 6:00 p.m. at 2065 Morris Avenue when a verbal dispute between the unidentified groups turned physical. During the fight, two individuals pulled out firearms and discharged them, striking the victim in the hip.
Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the injured man to Saint Barnabas Hospital. He was reported to be in stable condition.
Following the shooting, one suspect fled the scene on foot, heading northbound on Morris Avenue. Four others took off in a black vehicle, also traveling northbound, according to the NYPD.
Police have released descriptions of two individuals sought in connection with the shooting. The first is described as a male with a dark complexion, wearing a black jacket, gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and dark-colored sneakers.
Key points
- A 20-year-old male was shot in the hip during a dispute inside a Bronx building
- Two individuals opened fire during a physical altercation between two groups
- Five suspects fled the scene, one on foot and four in a black vehicle
Police searching for multiple suspects in Morris Avenue shooting
The second suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, heavyset, with long braided hair. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket, dark pants, and light-colored sneakers.
Three additional suspects, all described as males, fled the scene with the second sought individual in the black vehicle, police said.
No arrests have been made, and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to identify those involved.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the dispute, and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Delivery driver targeted in attempted robbery in Brooklyn, suspect flees empty-handed
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A delivery driver was confronted by an unidentified individual in an attempted robbery Sunday night in Clinton Hill, police said.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:49 p.m. near 433 Lafayette Avenue when a 33-year-old man was approached by a suspect who attempted to block his path and demanded money and property.
Despite the confrontation, the suspect did not obtain any items and fled the location on foot. The direction of flight was unknown, and there were no injuries reported.
Police have not released a description of the suspect and no arrests have been made as of Thursday.
The delivery driver did not require medical attention and continued to cooperate with the investigation, authorities said.
Key points
- A delivery driver was targeted in a failed robbery attempt in Clinton Hill
- The suspect demanded property but fled without taking anything
- No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large
Authorities seek suspect in Lafayette Avenue incident
The NYPD is reviewing surveillance footage from the area and canvassing for witnesses who may have seen the incident unfold or observed the suspect fleeing the scene.
- Knife-wielding mugger tries to rob teen in Brooklyn, flees on scooter
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A knife-wielding suspect attempted to rob a 17-year-old boy in Borough Park on Tuesday night but fled empty-handed on a scooter, police said.
The attempted robbery occurred around 10:39 p.m. near 43rd Street and New Utrecht Avenue, according to the NYPD. The teen was approached by an unidentified individual who displayed a knife and demanded money.
The victim did not hand over any property, and the suspect fled the scene traveling south on New Utrecht Avenue on a scooter. No injuries were reported.
The suspect has not been identified, and police are continuing to investigate. Authorities did not release a description of the suspect or the type of scooter used in the incident.
The NYPD has urged anyone with information about the attempted robbery to contact the department’s Crime Stoppers Hotline.
Key points
- A knife-wielding suspect attempted to rob a 17-year-old in Borough Park
- The incident happened late Tuesday near 43rd Street and New Utrecht Avenue
- The suspect fled southbound on a scooter without obtaining any property
Investigation ongoing in failed robbery
The victim was not physically harmed, and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Police are canvassing the area for surveillance footage that may have captured the suspect’s movements before or after the encounter.
Investigators are looking into whether the attempted robbery is linked to any recent similar incidents in the area involving scooters or edged weapons.
- Off-duty NYC housing employee busted in Queens for driving with suspended license
QUEENS, N.Y. — An off-duty employee with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development was arrested Thursday evening in Queens for driving without a valid license, police said.
Edwig Cooman, 52, was taken into custody at 5:22 p.m. within the confines of the NYPD’s 116th Precinct, which covers southeastern neighborhoods including Rosedale and Laurelton.
Cooman was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and operating a vehicle with no license plate, according to police.
The incident involved a private vehicle, and Cooman was not engaged in official city duties at the time of his arrest, authorities said. No injuries or additional violations were reported.
The Department of Housing Preservation and Development, where Cooman is employed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the arrest.
Key points
- Edwig Cooman, 52, was arrested Thursday in the 116th Precinct area
- He faces charges of driving with a suspended license and no plate
- Cooman is an off-duty employee with NYC Housing Preservation and Development
Employee faces misdemeanor charge
Aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree is a misdemeanor under New York State law and typically applies to individuals who operate a vehicle with a license that has been suspended for non-criminal reasons, such as failure to pay a fine.