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The shooting took place in the vicinity of Beach 25th Street and Brookhaven Avenue.
By Forum Staff
Murder, kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon are among the charges being faced by Joaquin Bullock, 31, of Chandler Street in Far Rockway, after the death of a fellow Far Rockaway resident.
Bullock argued with the victim before fatally shooting him in the chest.
“A life was cut short by a senseless act of gun violence. The defendant…shot and killed the victim following a dispute in the waning hours of August 18, 2018. The defendant is further alleged to have fled the jurisdiction and was later apprehended by the Regional Violent Felony Warrant Squad and the Queens Homicide Squad in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is now back in our jurisdiction and will be prosecuted for this pointless death,” said DA Brown.
Bullock was arraigned on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, before Queens Criminal Court Judge Toni Cimino on a complaint charging him with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and was remanded until his court date, next week, on October 11. If convicted, Bullock faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
According to the charges, at approximately11:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, the defendant was captured on video surveillance arguing with several unidentified males on Beach 25th Street and Brookhaven Avenue before punching two of the men, including the victim, 28-year-old Dion Smith, in the face. The fight ended, but the defendant threatened to return to scene with a firearm.
The surveillance video shows the defendant returning to the scene approximately 30 minutes later, grabbing the victim by the arm and forcibly removing him from the location. The victim resisted Bullock’s attempts and a struggle ensued at which time, the defendant allegedly shot Smith in the chest. He was transported to St. John’s Hospital by acquaintances, where he succumbed to his injuries.
