Brooklyn man sentenced to 25 years to life for fatal east new york shooting — Judge with gavel on table. attorney, court judge,tribunal and justice concept.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a man at point-blank range in East New York nearly a decade ago. David Cruz, 33, of Bushwick, was convicted of second-degree murder and weapons charges in November following a jury trial.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the sentencing, describing the 2015 shooting as a “reprehensible act of violence.” Gonzalez emphasized the importance of the sentence, stating, “It should also send a strong message that shooting guns in our streets cannot and will not be tolerated.”

The incident occurred on the evening of May 25, 2015, as 34-year-old William Perez was heading to a Memorial Day barbecue with friends. According to prosecutors, the group encountered Cruz and two associates near the intersection of New Lots and Shepherd Avenues. Cruz fired multiple shots at Perez’s 22-year-old friend, prompting the group to flee.

Perez turned back toward the scene, at which point Cruz shot him in the back with a .40-caliber pistol, evidence showed. Cruz fled the scene, discarding the firearm in the yard of a nearby daycare. Perez was transported to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Cruz was arrested in November 2018 after an extensive investigation. A previous trial ended in a mistrial before his conviction last month. Justice Donald Leo handed down the sentence in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

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