New york city police department officers arrive at crime scene. — New York City Police Department officers arrive at crime scene.

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.