File Photo
Christian Mosquera
By Forum Staff
A 22-year-old Queens man has been convicted of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon for shooting at police and a civilian in the Elmhurst back in June 2014.
“… police officers in this City risk their lives serving and protecting New York City’s residents and visitors,” District Attorney Brown said. A jury has spoken and the defendant will be sentenced to a very long term behind bars.”
In June of 2014, two officers responded to the scene where gunshots were reported. Upon their arrival they spotted an armed man and ordered him to drop the weapon. He refused instead turning his gun toward the officers. He fired once but neither officer was hit.
He was identified as Christian Mosquera, 22, of Westside Avenue in Corona. A jury convicted Mosquera last week after deliberating for a day. He was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a two-week-long trial, and will be sentenced on November 7, at which time he faces up to 40 years in prison.
According to trial testimony, police on patrol heard gunfire and responded to the scene. They observed Mosquera chasing an individual whom he shot at along Lamont Avenue at about 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2014. The officers ordered the defendant to drop the weapon several times, however he turned toward them and fired one round before fleeing. A .22 caliber Ruger Mark 1 long-arm pistol was recovered on the ground near the scene.
The defendant, an admitted member of the ABK (Any Body Killers) gang, fled New York City and was apprehended a week later on June 27, 2014, in Union City, New Jersey.
