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Aug. 27, 2020 By Christian Murray
A reputed gang member has been charged with murder for fatally shooting a 54-year-old man in broad daylight last month in Long Island City.
The alleged perpetrator, who is just 17-years-old, killed George Rosa when a stray bullet hit the 54-year-old in the abdomen at around 11:20 on July 25, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Rosa was walking his dog at the time near the intersection of 22th Street and 40th Avenue, just two blocks from where he lived.
The 17-year-old allegedly fired shots as part of an on-going dispute with rival gang members in the vicinity of the Queensbridge Houses.
Rosa heard a popping sound and suddenly realized he was bleeding from his stomach, according to the District Attorney’s office. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but died Tuesday from the gunshot wound that was inflicted one month ago.
“Tragically, a man is dead because he took his dog for a walk in his neighborhood, struck by a stray bullet intended for someone else,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “Every resident of every community deserves to be safe from the reckless gang violence that is fueled by access to guns.”
The 17-year-old, whose name is being withheld because of his age, has been charged with second degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
The police are looking for a second man who was with the alleged perpetrator at the time of the shooting.
