New York News

Queens Plaza subway attacker convicted of brutal hammer assault on commuter

Queens Plaza Subway Attacker Convicted of Robbery and Assault

**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the conviction of William Blount for robbery in the first degree, assault in the first degree, and other charges. Blount attacked a woman with a hammer as she entered the Queens Plaza subway station in Long Island City in 2022, stealing her tote bag.

Blount, 60, whose last known address was in Manhattan, was convicted of assault, robbery, and weapon possession. He was acquitted of attempted murder charges following a six-week trial that began on February 24, presided over by Supreme Court Justice John Zoll. Sentencing is set for May 7, with a possible sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison.

During the February 2022 incident, Blount attacked a 58-year-old woman, causing her multiple skull fractures. The victim received medical attention, including a bilateral craniectomy, and suffered a broken finger among other injuries.

Investigation led to Blount’s arrest and the recovery of a hammer and the victim’s belongings at a residence in Long Island City. Video surveillance tracked Blount’s movements, and DNA evidence linked him to the crime. The case

Brooklyn Launches Gun Buyback Event

Brooklyn Launches Gun Buyback Event

**Brooklyn, NY** – Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, in collaboration with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, has announced a Gun Buyback event. The event is scheduled for Saturday at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants turning in operable handguns and assault rifles will receive a $500 bank card. The initiative aims to continue the progress Brooklyn made in reducing gun violence last year, with more than 500 firearms having been surrendered in previous buyback events.

NYPD Commissioner Tisch confirmed that shootings have decreased by 23 percent this year, highlighting the efficacy of such programs in removing over 1,300 illegal firearms from the streets. Pastor Lawrence E. Aker III of Cornerstone Baptist Church expressed the church’s commitment to working with local authorities to enhance community safety.

The buyback accepts various types of firearms, with different compensation amounts based on the type of weapon surrendered. All transactions will remain anonymous, with no identification required, and law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers are excluded from participation.

Utica Police Seize Drugs and Firearms in Oneida Square

Utica Police Seize Drugs and Firearms in Oneida Square

**Utica, NY** – On Tuesday, the Utica Police Department Special Investigations Unit conducted a search related to cocaine distribution in the Oneida Square area. The operation, supported by UPD Patrol and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, occurred on April 1st, 2025, at 1316 ½ Oneida Street.

The search resulted in significant findings, including 180.7 grams of cocaine, a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, digital scales, packaging materials, and $2,100 in assorted U.S. currency. These discoveries led to various charges against the suspect.

Donald Williams, 44, of Utica, was the investigation’s primary target. He faces charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in both the second and third degrees, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree due to a prior conviction and the extended magazine.

Additionally, Williams was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. The investigation is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to combat

Three Indicted for 2019 Stabbing Death of 17-Year-Old in Queens

handcuffs

Three Indicted for 2019 Stabbing Death of 17-Year-Old in Queens

**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the indictment of Tianna Benjamin, Charles Gillespie, and Kyra Tyrell by a grand jury in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Talasia Cuffie in November 2019. The charges include murder, weapon possession, and conspiracy. Cuffie was attacked following a memorial basketball game for another victim, Aamir Griffin, unrelated to her death. The attack was driven by a mistaken belief that Cuffie was pregnant with Gillespie’s child.

According to the DA’s statements, Cuffie was persuaded to visit a residential block by the defendants and then stabbed in the abdomen and groin. She was left severely injured on the sidewalk and later died in the hospital. The Queens District Attorney’s Office emphasized its dedication to seeking justice for Cuffie and her family.

The individuals charged are Benjamin, aged 29, from Jamaica; Gillespie, aged 24, from Jamaica; and Tyrell, aged 22, from Brooklyn. They face charges of murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon, and conspiracy. Benjamin and Tyrell

Stolen purse leads to showdown outside Utica convenience store

Suspect Charged in Utica Purse Theft

**Utica, NY** – On March 16th, Utica Police responded to a report of a stolen purse on the 1100 block of Schuyler St. The purse contained credit cards and other personal items.

During the investigation, authorities discovered the suspect attempted to use the victim’s identification at a convenience store to buy cigarettes. The store clerk did not complete the sale because the photo ID did not match the suspect.

This information was relayed to the victim, who informed the police. The Criminal Investigations Division took over, identifying the suspect. Later, the victim saw the suspect again near the store and retrieved some stolen property following an altercation.

On April 2nd, the suspect, Fonta Young, age 41, was apprehended and faces charges. These include two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and Petit Larceny.