BROOKLYN, NY – The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, announced the sentencing of Gregory Spears, a 43-year-old man from Brownsville, Brooklyn, to 17 years in prison. Spears’ sentencing comes after his guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter for the shooting death of his 62-year-old neighbor, Angel Medina, in a New York City Housing Authority apartment in Brownsville.
The tragic incident occurred on May 19, 2020, around 2:40 p.m., when Spears, disguising himself with a Halloween mask, knocked on Medina’s door at the Langston Hughes Houses located at 301 Sutter Avenue. Despite the disguise, he was recognized by the victim’s wife, who was at home with Spears’ own wife at the time.
After being summoned to speak with Spears, Medina was shot multiple times by Spears, who then fled the scene. Medina succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Spears was apprehended the following morning by police as he exited an elevator on the 14th floor, close to the scene of the crime.
Today, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo sentenced Spears to 17 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. District Attorney Gonzalez remarked on the severity of the crime, highlighting that Spears has now accepted responsibility for the “senseless shooting” that took the life of his neighbor.