By Ivan Pereira
A reputed gang member was convicted last week for his role in a Jamaica shooting that took the life of a young father, the Queens district attorney said.
Sherwin Thompson, 23, of 119th Avenue faces up to 25 years in prison when he is scheduled to appear at his sentencing hearing June 22, according to Queens DA Richard Brown.
On June 2, Thompson, who investigators said was a member of the Bloods, was convicted of manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal facilitation charges in the death of Germaine Persaud three years ago.
Persaud, 21, was shot by Thompson’s alleged accomplice right outside the victim’s home on Father’s Day and died right in front of his baby daughter, Brown said.
“This crime is, regrettably, another example of mindless gun-related violence that too often takes innocent lives and endangers public safety,” the DA said in a statement.
The incident took place around 1 a.m. on June 18, 2007, when Thompson and fellow reputed Bloods member Isaiah Joyner approached Persaud at his home near 119th Avenue and 196th Street, the DA said. The pair asked Persaud, 21, if he had a problem with them, but the father said no, according to Brown.
Joyner turned around and fired at Persaud, who was struck in the arm and chest, Brown said. The father managed to run into his house for help, but collapsed near the crib of his 11-month-old child and died, according to the DA.
Thompson admitted to getting the silver revolver used in the shooting after he and Joyner got into an earlier argument with several people, including Persaud, Brown said.
Joyner, 23, of 119th Avenue, is facing murder charges for his role in the shooting and awaiting trial, according to the DA.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
