By Naeisha Rose
The suspect in a triple shooting in Jamaica over the July 4 holiday was nabbed in Pennsylvania earlier month and after being extradited back to New York, he will have to face nine criminal charges in the death of two people and the wounding of a third, according to police.
Jamaica resident Victor Ocasio, 28, was charged with murder, attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment for allegedly shooting into a crowd of eight, which included three children, with a semi-automatic weapon at a residence located at 107th Avenue and 170th Street in Jamaica, according to the Queens DA’s office.
The victims of the shooting included Jasmine Quattlebaum, 27, who was fatally struck once in the head; Herman Mullings, who was hit three times in the back; and a second man who survived being struck in the right elbow area, but still suffers from severe nerve and tissue damage, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Quattlebaum was dead at the scene and Mullings succumbed to his injuries at a nearby Queens hospital.
“A festive summer evening was marred by the senseless shooting deaths of two innocent young individuals – a man and a mother of two – and the wounding of a second man who suffered severe nerve and tissue damage,” Brown said. “On the run since this heinous act, the alleged perpetrator has now been captured, returned to New York and is facing the possibility of life behind bars without the possibility of parole.”
Assistant District Attorney George Farrugia, the director of Extraditions and Renditions,handled Ocasio’s extradition, according to Brown.
Ocasio is being held without bail and must return to court Nov. 29, according to Brown.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
