Far Rockaway Man Faces 23 Years in Prison after Copping to Fatal 2020 Shooting

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Smalls shot Campbell after a verbal dispute on Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

BY Forum Staff

A Far Rockaway man has pleaded guilty in a September 2020 shooting on Rockaway Beach Boulevard that left one dead and two others injured, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.

Lawayne Smalls, 19, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to manslaughter in the first degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder. Smalls will be sentenced on Dec. 3. Justice Holder indicated he will order Smalls to be incarcerated for 23 years, followed by five years’ post-release supervision.

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“[S]adly easy access to illegal firearms has resulted in far too many deaths in Queens County,” DA Katz said.

According to the charges, just before 2 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2020, Smalls was on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Shore Front Parkway when he became embroiled in a verbal dispute with Christopher Campbell, who was with two other people at the time. Without warning, Smalls pulled out a firearm and began firing at all three individuals.

Katz said at least six bullets struck Campbell. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the 20-year-old died as a result of the gunshot wounds. Two others were also hit by the barrage but survived.

“The defendant in this case has now admitted to a senseless shooting that took the life of one man and injured two others. A disagreement should never lead to bloodshed; sadly easy access to illegal firearms has resulted in far too many deaths in Queens County. We must stop the gun violence and rid our communities of these deadly, illegal weapons.”

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