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Without regard for human life, the defendant fired multiple shots at the victim, who was near a bus stop and various businesses, in the middle of the day,” DA Katz said. “The victim was killed, but anyone in the area could have also been shot.”
By Forum Staff
A Long Island City man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the July 2017 shooting death of a 26-year-old man near a bus stop in the vicinity of the Ravenswood Houses in Astoria, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.
Chaz Reyes, 31, pleaded guilty on May 27, 2021, to manslaughter in the first degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder. Last Wednesday, Holder sentenced Reyes to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years’ post-release supervision.
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Reyes was walking near a bus stop at the intersection of 36th Avenue and 21st Street in Astoria when he encountered the victim, Tyrell Smith.
According to court records, at approximately noon on July 16, 2017, Reyes was walking near a bus stop at the intersection of 36th Avenue and 21st Street in Astoria when he encountered Tyrell Smith. The victim was riding a bike at the time. Reyes—armed with an illegal gun—fired multiple shots in Smith’s direction. Three bullets ripped into the victim’s chest. The defendant ran from the scene and into a nearby apartment building.
Smith was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
“In pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted to killing a perceived rival when the victim happened to pass by him on a bicycle in broad daylight. Without regard for human life, the defendant fired multiple shots at the victim, who was near a bus stop and various businesses, in the middle of the day. The victim was killed, but anyone in the area could have also been shot,” Katz said. The defendant has now been sentenced by the Court for his actions.”
