QUEENS, N.Y. — A 15-year-old boy has been indicted on charges of murder, weapons possession, and assault in connection with the fatal shooting of a motorist in St. Albans last month, the Queens District Attorney announced Tuesday. The defendant, who authorities allege is a member of a local gang, is accused of firing a 9 mm handgun following an altercation with a rival gang member.
William Alcindor, 66, was driving through the area in his Nissan Rogue when he was struck by gunfire at approximately 4:50 p.m. on September 16. He was not the intended target, according to investigators. His vehicle then collided with a 23-year-old pedestrian after he lost control of the car due to his injuries.
“The defendant is accused of recklessly firing bullets across Farmers Boulevard in the middle of the afternoon,” District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “Gun and gang violence has caused too much heartache in our communities.”
The indictment charges the teenager with five counts, including second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered continued remand and set the defendant’s next court appearance for December 5. If convicted, the teen faces up to 15 years to life in prison.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the defendant arguing with a rival outside a restaurant on Farmers Boulevard before the shooting, authorities said. The incident is being investigated by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, which identified the defendant as a member of the Bad Co gang, while his rival is linked to the Top Opp Makk Ballers gang.
Alcindor was pronounced dead at the hospital later that evening. The pedestrian, who suffered multiple injuries including head trauma and a collapsed lung, was hospitalized and has since been discharged but continues to recover. Six shell casings were recovered at the scene.
