QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today the sentencing of Ashik Zaman, 23, to 36 years in prison for his involvement in two separate fatal shootings. The incidents, which occurred in 2020 and 2021, resulted in the deaths of two men following disputes in Jamaica and South Ozone Park, Queens.
Zaman, a resident of 156th Street in Jamaica, pled guilty on June 20 to two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant.
The first incident took place on January 21, 2020, when Zaman fatally shot 39-year-old Kevin Williams in Jamaica during an argument over money. Williams was hit multiple times and succumbed to his injuries less than an hour later.
The second shooting occurred on April 28, 2021, near a liquor store in South Ozone Park. Zaman, who was part of a group filming a music video, encountered another group and an argument ensued. Although the groups initially separated peacefully, Zaman later shot Kajawan Howard multiple times as he walked toward Zaman. Howard was struck in the chest and died the following day, coincidentally his 29th birthday.
Following the shooting, an exchange of gunfire ensued as Zaman fled the scene in a black Infiniti, resulting in another individual being seriously injured. Zaman was apprehended on May 20, 2021, by NYPD officers after attempting to evade them on a defaced Citi Bike.
A subsequent search warrant executed at a residence linked to Zaman led to the recovery of a .40-caliber Ruger pistol used in the homicides. DNA testing confirmed Zaman’s connection to the weapon.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the importance of the convictions as part of the ongoing efforts to address gun violence in Queens, stating that the prosecution of such cases is crucial in the fight to take illegal guns off the streets and ensure public safety.
