QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the sentencing of Brooklyn resident Ricardo Henry to 17 years to life in prison for the 2019 murder of a homeless shelter resident. The incident, described as a retaliatory attack, occurred at the East Elmhurst shelter in Queens.
Ricardo Henry, 39, was convicted on charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial in May. The sentencing was carried out by Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael B. Aloise.
The case stems from a November 5, 2019, incident where Henry, alongside Tanika Sauls, targeted Abdul Silas, a 38-year-old resident of The Landing Family Shelter, under the misguided belief of defending Sauls’ honor during her birthday celebration.
According to trial testimony, Sauls incited the attack on Silas, whom she accused of domestic violence earlier in the evening. Despite police investigation that found no evidence of violence, Sauls persisted, and Henry agreed to confront Silas. The confrontation escalated, leading Henry to fatally stab Silas four times out of sight of the shelter’s security cameras.
Tanika Sauls, 49, was previously convicted of manslaughter in connection with the same incident and was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison.
District Attorney Katz emphasized that the sentencing of Henry serves as a measure of justice for the victim and a hope for peace to his grieving family.