My office secured a guilty plea in connection with the 2019 slaying of 14-year-old Aamir Griffin, who was gunned down in a South Jamaica playground when the defendant mistook him for a rival gang member.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to a weapon possession charge in an unrelated case and is expected to be sentenced to 30 years in prison next month.
When I became the District Attorney, I committed to bringing Aamir’s killer to justice. We have succeeded and will continue doing absolutely everything we can to get illegal firearms and the criminals who use them off our streets.
Warring gangs are not just a threat to each other, but to all of us. Whether it was the murder of a schoolteacher walking his dog, a mother running out for milk for her children, or, in this case, a youngster playing basketball with friends, mindless gang gun violence has bloodied our streets and broken our hearts. It has not, however, shaken our resolve.
Last year, this same defendant was one of 33 reputed gang members charged in perhaps the largest gang takedown in the history of this office, a wide-ranging 151-count indictment on charges of murder, conspiracy and other crimes.
We will work every day to protect Queens communities from senseless gun violence that has claimed too many lives.
My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.
In Friendship,
Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
