Far Rockaway resident Michael Hall was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the fatal 2019 shooting of a 45-year-old man in front of a delicatessen on Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday, June 9.
Hall, 36, of Rockaway Beach Boulevard, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges last month before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant last month.
According to court records, on the evening of Dec. 18, 2019, Hall was standing in front of the Sandwich Spot, located at 87-18 Rockaway Blvd. near 88th Street, just doors away from his home, when he encountered his neighbor Dion Gumby. Video surveillance footage shows the two men exchanging words briefly. As Gumby turned and walked away, Hall suddenly pulled out a handgun and fired the weapon multiple times in front of a number of people, some of whom were children.
Gumby was struck multiple times and suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen, torso and arm, according to the charges. EMS transported Gumby, who also lived in Far Rockaway, to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he ultimately died of his injuries. Hall fled the crime scene and was arrested approximately two weeks later.
“Gun violence is an epidemic that has brought too much heartache to our communities,” Katz said. “Last month, the defendant admitted guilt in the December 2019 shooting that took the life of a man in Far Rockaway. He has now been sentenced by the court and will spend a lengthy time in prison as punishment for his callous actions.”
Justice Pandit-Durant imposed a sentence of 21 years in prison, to be followed by five years post-release supervision.
