Lenard Crudup, reputed to be a member of the so-called Rowdy Gang, was convicted last week of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Crudup, a 22-year-old resident of Far Rockaway, has been held in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail since his August 7, 2013 arraignment. He is scheduled to be sentenced later this month, at which time he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Crudup wounded ten-year-old Brianna Palmer when he recklessly fired a gun into the front courtyard of the privately owned Dix McBride Apartments in Far Rockaway. According to trial testimony, the alleged gang member was observed standing in the street in front of the apartment complex just after 1:00 am on August 3, 2013, and firing several shots into the front courtyard, one of which struck the young girl above the hip. Palmer was taken to a local Queens hospital and treated for her injuries. The police recovered two .380 caliber casings and one fired bullet from the scene of the shooting.
By Forum Staff
