A Queens grand jury indicted a Southeast Queens man for fatally stabbing a stranger to death in a Jamaica deli last month.
Jahshua Kelley, 40, of 107th Avenue in Queens Village, was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court Wednesday on a four-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, two counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, Kelley faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
According to the charges and video surveillance, on Saturday, June 22, at around 9:33 p.m., Kelley walked past 40-year-old Springfield Gardens resident Nurul Bhuiyan near 168-23 Jamaica Ave. After passing him on the street, Bhuiyan, who was not acquainted with Kelley, briefly followed the defendant.
Kelley then turned and walked toward Bhuiyan, swinging his arms at him. The two continued to engage with one another before Bhuiyan backed away onto the street and appeared to swing a silver object at Kelley, who followed him.
Bhuiyan then ran into the Sammy Gourmet Deli at 169-03 Jamaica Ave. with Kelley in pursuit. Once inside the shop, both men walked behind the counter, where Bhuiyan picked up a knife. Kelley contended that Bhuiyan had taken his wallet and threw a pineapple toward Bhuiyan. He then grabbed a knife and approached Bhuiyan, who put down the knife he was holding and grabbed a baseball bat.
A struggle ensued, and Kelley stabbed Bhuiyan in the neck multiple times, causing his death, according to the charges.
Kelley then cleaned his hands before leaving the store. Homicide detectives arrested Kelley at his 107th Avenue home on June 24, and he was booked at the 103rd Precinct. The following day, Kelley punched one officer in the head and head-butted and punched another officer multiple times.
“A seemingly minor disagreement led to a brutal and senseless stabbing inside a Jamaica deli where the victim lost his life,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “This type of violence has no place in our businesses and our streets. We will hold the defendant responsible for his alleged actions.”
Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise remanded Kelley without bail and ordered him to return to court on Sept. 4.
