QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz disclosed that Albert Edwards was formally charged for his involvement in a robbery and fatal shooting at a Richmond Hill smoke shop that occurred on March 18. The incident led to the death of Darryus Clarke, a 20-year-old shop employee.
Albert Edwards, 24, hailing from Jackson Avenue, Bronx, faced arraignment on charges which include second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and possession of a weapon in the second degree.
Judge Diego Freire has scheduled his court appearance for August 16. If proven guilty, Edwards could face a prison sentence of up to 25 years to life.
Details of the incident reveal that on March 18, between 12:10 p.m. and 12:16 p.m., video surveillance captured Edwards and two other males arriving at The Plug smoke shop located at 109-27 Jamaica Avenue in a ZipCar vehicle.
The trio brandished a firearm, confiscated property, and in the course of their actions, fatally shot Clarke. Post the incident, they hastily retreated to their vehicle and fled. Clarke was declared dead upon arrival at a local medical facility. The two accomplices remain at large.