A Queens grand jury indicted a Brooklyn teenager for murder in the second degree and other crimes in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old in Ridgewood on April 22.
The shooting took place on the same street as Joseph F. Quinn Intermediate School 77. The 16-year-old gunman from Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn was arraigned Friday in Queens Supreme Court and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, at around 5:40 p.m. on April 22, Kevin Hernandez drove a moped on George Street in Ridgewood. At the same time, a group of approximately nine teenagers was walking on Seneca Avenue and turned onto George Street. Hernandez made a U-turn on George Street and came to a stop in front of 1728 George St., across the street from I.S. 77.
The group of teens continued walking in Hernandez’s direction, and as they drew closer, the 16-year-old defendant and another teen stepped into the street. The defendant allegedly then pulled out a firearm, got into a shooter’s stance, and fired at the victim. Hernandez was struck by a bullet, staggered forward, and then fell backward. The defendant and the other teen fled the scene before police from the 104th Precinct in Ridgewood responded to the scene.
Paramedics rushed Hernandez to Brookdale Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition, with a gunshot wound to his torso. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Police recovered two 9 mm shell casings at the crime scene.
“As alleged, this was a senseless act of gun violence by a teenager who had no business with a firearm,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “The family of this young victim is now grieving the loss of a child. He was just a few minutes from home when a bullet ripped into his chest, killing him. Another teen is facing very serious charges for his alleged actions.”
The defendant was also indicted for robbery, assault, grand larceny, and petit larceny for another attack on a 17-year-old at the Myrtle Avenue subway station on April 21, the night before the murder. The defendant and two accomplices allegedly punched and robbed the teenager and took his sneakers, hat, and cell phone.
Queens Supreme Court Acting Justice Bruna DiBiase remanded the defendant into custody without bail and ordered him to return to court on June 6. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
