By Sadef Ali Kully
A man from Far Rockaway has been charged with fatally shooting another unlicensed livery driver in a brazen morning attack at the intersection of Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 81 Street Friday, according to the Queens district attorney.
“This shooting is another example of the senseless gun violence in our city that must end,” DA Richard Brown said. “The defendant is accused of killing a rival dollar van driver in broad daylight. If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison.”
The defendant is Fabian Sullivan, 38, of 23-33 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway. He was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Michelle Armstrong on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence.
Sullivan got into an argument on the morning of Jan. 20, with Leon Brown, 38. Sullivan allegedly used his vehicle to cut off Brown, who was driving a Ford Econoline van, before stepping out of his vehicle and firing a single shot, according to the criminal complaint.
The bullet pierced the victim’s chest and the victim’s van continued to roll and crashed into a parked car. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to court documents.
Sullivan fled the scene, but was apprehended after giving a bag containing the bullets from the gun to his sister-in-law, Hind Chokary, allege court documents. Chokary, 27, of 118-40 200 St., in St. Albans ,was also arraigned in Queens criminal court on a tampering with physical evidence charge but was released on her own recognizance.
Sullivan was ordered held without bail and his next court date is tentatively delayed due to the northeastern snowstorm, according to the Queens district attorney’s office. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison. If found guilty of evidence tampering, his sister-in-law Chokary could expect to face up to four years in prison.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skully@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.
