Prosecutors say the teenage victim was struck by gunfire meant for a rival gang member during a planned confrontation in St. Albans.
Queens, NY – Four reputed gang members have been indicted on murder, conspiracy, and weapons charges in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl who prosecutors say was an innocent bystander during a gang-related attack in St. Albans. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Messiah Randall, 19, Jomar Pointdujour, 19, Nicolson Pierrimas, 20, and Zaire Rolley, 21, are accused of carrying out the May 2023 shooting that killed Claudia Quatey.
Key Points
• Four alleged members or associates of the 007 gang indicted in Queens
• 16-year-old Claudia Quatey fatally shot while sitting in a vehicle
• Defendants face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted
Shooting followed planned confrontation
According to prosecutors, the defendants are members or associates of the 007 gang and allegedly worked together to carry out a shooting targeting a rival gang member. Investigators said the incident began on May 10, 2023, when a teen arranged to confront another teen outside the rival’s home. Both sides agreed to meet at a nearby park at P.S. 15 in the St. Albans neighborhood.
Authorities said the confrontation occurred near the park before both groups returned to their vehicles shortly after 8:25 p.m.
Victim struck while seated in vehicle
Prosecutors said Claudia Quatey was seated in the rear passenger seat of a blue Hyundai Venue with four friends when the vehicle began to leave the area.
Officials allege that Randall and Pierrimas then fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle, which contained a reputed member of the TopOpp gang seated in the front. The defendants immediately fled the scene after the gunfire.
The driver turned the corner and called 911 after realizing Quatey had been struck. No other occupants of the vehicle were injured.
Teen later died from gunshot wound
Quatey was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died several days later from a gunshot wound to the head.
Randall, Pierrimas and Rolley were arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Bruna DiBiase on charges including second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
The three defendants were remanded into custody. Randall and Pierrimas are scheduled to return to court Monday, while Rolley’s next court appearance is set for April 15.
Pointdujour is currently in custody on another matter and will be arraigned at a later date.
Investigation involved multiple units
The case was investigated by the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau of the Queens District Attorney’s Office along with detectives from the NYPD’s 113th Precinct Detective Squad and the Queens South Homicide Squad.
If convicted, each of the four defendants faces up to 25 years to life in prison.