Jury finds Damion Howell guilty after Julian Askew was shot, paralyzed and died three months later
QUEENS, NY – A late-night encounter inside a Jamaica bodega turned deadly after a man propositioned another man’s girlfriend, returned about 30 minutes after an argument and shot her boyfriend, leaving the victim paralyzed before he died three months later — and now the gunman has been convicted of murder.
Damion Howell, 42, of Flushing, was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Julian Askew, 29, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the verdict.
Howell faces up to 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 9 before Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant.
The case began at approximately 1:11 a.m. Aug. 5, 2022, inside a bodega at 106-32 Sutphin Boulevard in Queens.
According to trial testimony, Howell approached Askew’s girlfriend inside the store and propositioned her for sex.
The woman told Askew that Howell had made her uncomfortable, prosecutors said.
Askew confronted Howell, and the two men became involved in a verbal argument.
Howell then left.
Approximately 30 minutes later, prosecutors said, Howell returned wearing different clothing and immediately approached Askew.
The two men walked toward the end of the block while Askew’s girlfriend followed behind them.
When they reached the corner, Howell pulled out a gun and shot Askew in the torso, according to prosecutors.
Askew’s girlfriend witnessed the shooting and called 911 while Howell fled.
Askew was rushed to a Queens hospital and was initially paralyzed from the waist down.
He remained alive for more than three months before dying Nov. 14, 2022, from injuries sustained in the shooting.
Prosecutors said Howell left the United States for the United Kingdom 11 days after Askew died.
He remained outside the country until May 10, 2023, when authorities apprehended him after he returned to JFK Airport.
Trial openings began Aug. 4, with closing arguments taking place Tuesday. The jury needed about two hours to convict Howell on all three counts.
Howell now awaits sentencing with a possible prison term of up to 25 years to life.
Key Points
- Damion Howell, 42, was convicted of murdering Julian Askew, 29, following an August 2022 confrontation that began at a Jamaica bodega.
- Prosecutors said Howell propositioned Askew’s girlfriend, argued with Askew and returned about 30 minutes later before shooting him in the torso.
- Askew was paralyzed and died three months later. Howell faces up to 25 years to life when sentenced Sept. 9.
