QUEENS, N.Y. — A 16-year-old Brooklyn boy has been indicted on murder and multiple other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Kevin Hernandez in Ridgewood on April 22, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.
The teen, whose name has not been released due to his age, is charged with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. He was arraigned on a grand jury indictment before Queens Supreme Court Acting Justice Bruna DiBiase and remanded into custody. He is due back in court on June 6.
Authorities say the deadly shooting happened around 5:40 p.m. on George Street, just steps from Joseph F. Quinn Intermediate School 77. Hernandez was riding a moped when he encountered a group of around nine teens. The defendant and another teen reportedly stepped into the street before the suspect assumed a shooter’s stance and opened fire.
Hernandez was struck in the torso, collapsed, and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two 9 mm shell casings were recovered from the scene.
Teen also charged in subway station robbery a day earlier
Prosecutors also charged the teen in a separate incident from April 21, when he and two accomplices allegedly attacked a 17-year-old at the Myrtle Avenue subway station. The trio allegedly punched and robbed the victim, stealing sneakers, a hat, and a cellphone.
If convicted of the top charge, the teen faces up to 25 years to life in prison. The investigation and prosecution are being handled by the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau.