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District Attorney Katz said that according to trial testimony, at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, the defendant was captured on video surveillance arguing with several men on Beach 25 Street and Brookhaven Avenue.
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that Joaquin Bullock has been convicted of the murder of a fellow Far Rockaway resident.
Bullock, 35, argued with the victim before fatally shooting him in the chest in 2018.
Bullock was convicted of murder in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree following a two-week trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder. Justice Holder indicated that he will sentence the defendant on December 5, 2022, at which time he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The victim, who was rushed to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital by acquaintances, later succumbed to his injuries.
District Attorney Katz said that according to trial testimony, at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, the defendant was captured on video surveillance arguing with several men on Beach 25 Street and Brookhaven Avenue. The defendant then punched two of the men, including the victim, Dion Smith, 28, in the face. The fight ended and the defendant left.
Furthermore, said DA Katz, approximately 30 minutes later, surveillance video showed the defendant return to the scene, grab the victim by the arm and forcibly remove him from the location to a dark alley on Brookhaven Avenue where the defendant shot the victim once in the chest. The victim, who was rushed to St. John’s Hospital by acquaintances, later died as a result of his injuries.
District Attorney Katz said, “Gun violence has taken too many lives in this borough and this verdict sends a strong message that deadly shootings will never be tolerated in Queens County. We hope that the outcome of this trial provides a sense of justice to the victim’s family.”
