MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Hempstead man was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison for his role in the attempted robbery and fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man in Uniondale in November 2021, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Khamari Elie, 20, pleaded guilty in September to multiple charges, including second-degree murder, attempted first-degree robbery, and weapons possession. Prosecutors say Elie and three accomplices orchestrated a plan to rob Kyle Midtlyng under the guise of a marijuana purchase, which ended in the victim’s death.
On the night of November 10, 2021, co-defendant Tariq Pitaud lured Midtlyng to Alexander Avenue in Uniondale under the pretense of buying marijuana. Elie drove co-defendants Kyle Colthirst and Tyrel Cason Jr. to the scene, where Colthirst entered Midtlyng’s car to commit the robbery. During the confrontation, Colthirst shot Midtlyng in the right side, fatally wounding him.
Midtlyng was found lying in the middle of the road outside his vehicle after police responded to a 911 call. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Evidence linking Colthirst to the crime included a shell casing found in the victim’s car, DNA from blood droplets on the sidewalk, and GPS data from an electronic monitoring device Colthirst was wearing, which placed him at the scene.
Colthirst, 20, was convicted at trial earlier this year and sentenced in April to 25 years to life in prison for second-degree murder, attempted robbery, and weapons possession.
“Khamari Elie and his friends lured Kyle Midtlyng to Uniondale to rob him, contributing to the young man’s tragic and senseless death,” said Nassau County DA Anne T. Donnelly in a statement. “Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of this defendant’s actions and his participation in Kyle’s death.”