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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Shooting Death
Of Business Acquaintance During High-End Sneaker Transaction

Stole the 10 Sneakers, valued at $25,000, Torched Remains, Misled
Detectives and Victim’s Relatives as They Searched for Him

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting a Georgia man who came to New York to sell the defendant high-end sneakers valued at thousands of dollars. The defendant stole the sneakers and then made elaborate efforts to cover up the crime by torching the remains and misleading investigators.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for taking the life of Douglas Young, an innocent man who was senselessly and deliberately killed by someone he knew and trusted. The defendant then took elaborate steps to cover up his heinous crime. Young’s family, friends, and community are heartbroken by his loss, and my thoughts are with them today.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Hakeem Smith, 31, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder and third-degree arson on August 25, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 6, 2020, the victim, Douglas Young, flew from Georgia to New York to complete a high-end sneaker transaction with the defendant, who he knew and with whom he had done similar business in the past.

The pair were supposed to meet near the Barclays Center, but the defendant changed the meeting place to a remote location in Red Hook, in the vicinity of 621 Court Street. The victim drove his rental car to the location, met the defendant and showed him the sneakers. The defendant then shot Douglas, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, three times in the head, killing him, according to the evidence.

The defendant took the 10 pairs of sneakers that he was supposed to purchase, which had a resale value of $25,000, and left the vicinity. Among the sneakers stolen from the victim
were Nike Air Yeezy 2 Solar Red, Nike Air Force 1 Low Off-White MCA University Blue, Nike Air Force 1 Low VLONE, Nike Dunk SB Low What the Dunk, Jordan 1 Retro High Travis Scott, Jordan 1 Retro Fragment Friends, Family, Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Euro and Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago.

On February 8, 2020, the defendant returned to the scene where the deceased victim remained in the vehicle, according to the evidence, and set the car on fire.

The evidence also showed that the day after the murder, while the victim’s family was trying to locate him, the defendant offered to help them by filing a missing person report. He told Young’s relatives and detectives investigating his disappearance that they met near Barclays Center, that the transaction didn’t take place and that he watched the victim drive away to meet someone else.

The defendant was arrested on September 11, 2020, following an extensive investigation.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and Homicide Paralegals Sarah-Jane Quashie and Angelika Rostkowska for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Alleged Sex Trafficking of Teenager 

Digital Investigation Uncovered Online Ads Promoting Prostitution of 16-Year-Old Girl

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two defendants have been indicted for their roles in the alleged trafficking of a 16-year-old girl for prostitution after investigators uncovered online advertisements featuring the teenager and digital communications allegedly showing that she was being promoted for commercial sex.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Protecting vulnerable children from exploitation is among our most important responsibilities. As trafficking increasingly moves online, digital and video evidence can be critical to identifying exploitation and building strong cases. We will continue using every available tool to protect victims, hold traffickers accountable and keep our communities safe.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Carlton Foster, 38, of Brooklyn, and Jaeandrea Herriot, 19, also known as Jae Herriot, also of Brooklyn. They are charged in a seven-count indictment with second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child. Foster is also charged with sex trafficking of a child. Herriot was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who set bail at $5,000 cash or $25,000 bond. Foster was arraigned on August 12, 2026, by Justice Chun. Foster was ordered held on bail of $200,000 cash or $1 million bond. Both defendants were ordered to return to court on October 14, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 10, 2026, law enforcement received a referral regarding a 16-year-old girl who had run away from her group home and was suspected of being a victim of sex trafficking.

Detectives from the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad opened a joint investigation with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, when investigators allegedly located online advertisements featuring the teenager on websites used to advertise prostitution and trafficking.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, on April 3, 2026, the teenager encountered police in Brooklyn in connection with an unrelated matter. Detectives obtained her cellphone and conducted a forensic examination that allegedly uncovered extensive prostitution-related communications involving Foster and Herriot.

The District Attorney said that on May 7, 2026, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children notified the FBI that live online advertisements of the teen were discovered in Newark, New Jersey. That night, FBI agents arranged a meeting and recovered her from a hotel room in New Jersey.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Kevin Deleon (now retired), along with Detective Daniel Bergamini, of the New York City Police Department Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Police Officers Felix Figueroa and Anthony Gallucci of the Newark, N.J., Police Department, Special Agent Brian Salamone from the FBI Newark Field Office and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey for their assistance in the investigation.

Additionally, the District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, and Digital Evidence Lab Digital Forensic Analyst Titan Cox for their work on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Janesse Dawson, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, Deputy Chief and David Weiss, Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Two Individuals and Company Indicted for Making and Selling
Fake OSHA and Buildings Department Site Safety Cards

Allegedly Sold Counterfeit Safety and Training Certifications to Construction Workers
Who Never Received the Required Training

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata and New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, today announced that the owner and an associate of a company with locations in Brooklyn and Queens that was authorized to provide jobsite safety training and certification have been arraigned on an indictment charging them with making and selling fake safety cards to construction workers who never received the required training.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Proper safety training is a foundational safeguard for everyone on a construction site. When individuals or companies cut corners and issue certifications without the required instruction, they undermine the integrity of our safety systems and endanger workers and the public. This case reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that training standards are followed and that fraudulent practices are identified and addressed promptly. I am grateful to our prosecutors and our partners at DOI and DOB for their excellent work on this important case.”

Commissioner Shihata said, “City and state workplace safety standards exist to protect workers. Put simply, shortcutting required training and coursework puts lives at risk. As charged, these defendants allegedly sold fraudulent safety cards to construction workers who never completed the required training. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Buildings for their continued commitment to holding accountable those who undermine workplace safety in our City.”

Commissioner Tigani said, “Since Site Safety Training card requirements were implemented in New York City, data has shown consistent improvements in safety. Simply put, fraudulent cards risk undermining those gains and putting lives in danger. Fraud will not be tolerated. Allowing untrained workers onto a job site puts them at risk and can put their coworkers in danger as well. The invalidation of SST cards issued by Redcode was done because we cannot, in good conscience, allow untrained workers on job sites. I want to thank our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Department of Investigation, and all of the dedicated members of DOB who helped uncover and stop this fraudulent activity.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Lutfur Rahman, 34, of Jamaica, Queens, Mohammed Tushar, 34, of Howard Beach, Queens, and Redcode Inc., with locations at 529 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn and 146-04 Hillside Avenue in Queens. The defendants were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which they are charged with three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, three counts of second-degree receiving reward for official misconduct, and six counts of second-degree falsifying business records. They were released without bail and ordered to return to court on November 4, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 22, 2025 and July 16, 2025, undercover investigators from the Department of Investigation (DOI) posed as construction workers and went to Redcode’s locations in Brooklyn and Queens. They allegedly met with Rahman, the owner of the company, and Tushar, an associate, who agreed to provide the undercovers with site safety training (SST) cards and OSHA cards for $500 each without the undercovers completing the required training.

The undercovers were allegedly asked to sign attendance sheets, making it seem as though they had attended training sessions. Redcode then allegedly sent information regarding the training to the DOB and to an OSHA designated training intermediary falsely indicating that the “students” completed the training. As a result, OSHA’s intermediary issued the “students” OSHA cards and DOB issued SST cards.

The DOB requires construction workers to undergo training in worksite safety before being allowed to work on most construction jobsites in New York City. OSHA, a subdivision of the United States Department of Labor, sets standards for workplace safety throughout the United States, including a 30-hour course in accident prevention. DOB requires this coursework plus an additional 10 hours of Site Safety Training (SST).

By issuing OSHA cards and SST cards to students who did not complete the coursework, it is alleged, the defendants allowed for workers who were not properly trained in the required safety protocols to work on construction sites posing a danger to themselves, other workers and members of the public.

The case was investigated by investigators from DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for the New York City School Construction Authority, under the supervision of First Deputy Inspector General Gerard McEnroe, Inspector General William E. Schaeffer, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan, and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Michael Mullahy.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto and Assistant District Attorney Jack Mulderrig, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Robbery Spree

Defendant Committed Three Gunpoint Robberies in Four Days

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a string of three gunpoint robberies in four days, all in the NYPD’s 88th precinct.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed brazen gunpoint robberies three times over a span of just a few days, terrifying a community. With today’s sentence he is being held accountable and facing the consequences of his criminal actions. With homicides and shootings at a record low in Brooklyn, we will continue to focus our resources on the drivers of crime to continue our progress improving neighborhood safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jaquan Smith-Mack, 34, of Downtown Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis to 13 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery on June 12, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 27, 2024, the defendant approached the first victim at gunpoint near the intersection of Navy Street and Park Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. The defendant told the victim, “Run your pockets” and lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a gun in his waistband. The victim gave the defendant his AirPods and his wallet, which contained his credit cards and cash. The defendant also demanded the victim’s glasses from his face, and the victim complied. Shortly thereafter, the defendant attempted to use the victim’s credit card at a liquor store.

Two days later, on September 29, 2024, the defendant pointed a gun at the stomach of a second victim, an Uber Eats delivery driver, at an apartment building on Monument Walk in Fort Greene and demanded the keys to the victim’s moped, stating “If you don’t give me the key, I will shoot you.” The victim complied. The defendant left but came back soon after and demanded the victim’s phone. The victim refused to comply, so the defendant pushed the victim, causing him to fall, and took his phone before fleeing on the victim’s moped.

The following day, on September 30, 2024, the defendant robbed the third victim at a bus stop on DeKalb Avenue in Clinton Hill. The defendant got off a moped, showed the victim a gun, and stated, “Don’t move, if you listen to me, I won’t hurt you.” The victim gave the defendant approximately $15.

A few hours later, the defendant was spotted driving a moped without a helmet or license plate and going through red lights in Bedford-Stuyvesant. After NYPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the defendant drove on the sidewalk, subsequently fell off the moped and took off running. The defendant tripped, fell, and threw a loaded firearm. The firearm was recovered next to the defendant underneath a vehicle.

The moped the defendant had been driving was later identified by the second victim as the moped that had been stolen from him on September 29, 2024.

The District Attorney thanked Digital Forensic Analyst Hector Feliz, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, for his work on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kellen Michuda, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Defendant Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder of Girlfriend in Bedford-Stuyvesant Apartment

Cause of Death Cited as Ligature Strangulation

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the strangulation death of his girlfriend in their Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment. The victim was discovered after a relative asked police to conduct a wellness check at the location.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Kelly Kwak should have been able to feel safe and secure in the home she shared with her boyfriend. Instead, the defendant brutally strangled her to death, ending her life at just 28 years old and devastating everyone who loved her. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for this horrific crime, and my thoughts remain with Kelly’s family and friends, who continue to live with the devastating loss of a young woman taken from them far too soon.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Hosein, 36, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abena Darkeh to 19 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on July 30, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, at approximately 10 a.m., on March 10, 2023, a police officer responding to a request for a wellness check at 218 Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant entered apartment 1A and saw the defendant alone in the apartment with the lifeless body of Kelly Kwak, 28.

Video surveillance footage of the area recovered by the police showed the defendant and the victim entering the apartment together on March 6, 2023, at approximately 12:45 a.m. Furthermore, video surveillance does not depict any one else entering or exiting the apartment between 12:45 a.m. on March 6, 2023 and the time the police officer discovered the deceased victim.

The Office of the New York City Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be ligature strangulation.

Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested on March 15, 2023 in Brooklyn.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Farin Chasin-Fodeman, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Domestic Violence Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Two Brooklyn Men Indicted for Attempted Murder in Alleged
July Fourth Mass Shooting That Wounded 8, Including 4 Children

Eight Family Members Shot During Family Barbecue in Coney Island;
Youngest Victim’s Puppy Was Struck in Head and Killed

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two Brooklyn men have been indicted on attempted murder and other charges in connection with a mass shooting at a family Fourth of July barbecue in Coney Island. The shooting left eight people, including four children, wounded. A 10-week-old puppy belonging to the youngest victim was shot in the head and killed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants are allegedly responsible for unleashing a barrage of gunfire into a courtyard packed with families celebrating the Fourth of July, striking eight people—including four children—and killing a six-year-old boy’s puppy. The fact that no person was killed is extraordinary, but it does not diminish the alleged recklessness and brutality of this attack. We will now seek to hold both defendants fully accountable for the devastation they are accused of causing.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Robert Smith, 44, and Kevin Blunt, 44, both of Coney Island. They are charged together in an 88-count indictment with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, first- and second-degree criminal use of a firearm, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. Smith was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun and was ordered held without bail and to return to court on October 14, 2026. Blunt was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin on August 3, 2026, and was ordered held without bail and to return to court on August 19, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 4, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., approximately 50 people were gathered for a family barbecue in the courtyard of a residential building near Surf Avenue and West 30^th Street in Coney Island when the defendants allegedly approached. It is alleged that Smith fired attempted to fire into the barbecue, and when the gun appeared to jam, Blunt helped clear it, allowing Smith to fire approximately 15 shots into the crowd.

Eight people were struck by gunfire, including four boys, ages six, seven, 12 and 14, and four adults, ages 21, 25, 33 and 37. The victims were taken to local hospitals, where the 21-year-old woman was initially listed in critical condition and the remaining victims were in stable condition. Additionally, the six-year-old victim’s 10-week-old puppy, Sky, was shot in the head and killed.

According to the investigation, surveillance footage allegedly captured the shootings and the defendants’ actions before, during and after the attack. Smith was apprehended by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force on July 8, 2026, in the confines of the 60^th Precinct. Blunt was subsequently apprehended by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force in the confines of the 84^th Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked Detective Omar Santiago of the Brooklyn South Video Team and Detective Andrew Noto of the 60^th Precinct Detective Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam Ghalmi and Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Oliver, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief and overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Trial Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 26 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder and Dismemberment of Girlfriend

Defendant Lived with Victim’s Remains for Weeks,
Used Her Money to Pay Women Engaged in Prostitution

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for murdering and dismembering his girlfriend. The defendant then stayed in her East New York apartment for weeks and used her money while her remains decomposed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “D’Asia Johnson suffered horrific violence at the hands of this defendant, who then compounded that cruelty with conduct that showed a staggering disregard for her life, her dignity and the loved ones desperately searching for her. He has now been held accountable for that horrific brutality, and I hope D’Asia’s family can find some measure of solace and justice in today’s sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Justin Williams, 27, of Manhattan. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 26 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, concealment of a human corpse, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal impersonation and fifth-degree welfare fraud on June 16, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant and the victim, D’Asia Johnson, 22, had been in a romantic relationship for several years. During that time, the defendant repeatedly abused her and at the time of her murder, Johnson was the protected party under an order of protection requiring Williams to stay away from her.

On August 21, 2022, Johnson entered her apartment on Linwood Avenue in East New York and never exited the apartment again. In the early morning hours of August 22, 2022, the defendant stabbed the victim numerous times — five times to the front of her torso and four times to the back, striking her heart and lung.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, Williams then dismembered Johnson’s body, placed her remains in garbage bags and kept them inside the apartment bathroom for nearly a month while her family and friends frantically searched for her. During that time, Williams continued living in the apartment and exploited Johnson financially, impersonating her to call out from her job so her paychecks would continue. The defendant used money from the victim’s bank account to pay women engaged in prostitution whom he brought into the apartment while Johnson’s remains decomposed nearby. The defendant also used Johnson’s public benefits to buy food for himself and brought his adolescent son into the apartment during this time.

When members of Johnson’s family came looking for her, the defendant pretended to be Johnson to conceal the fact that she was dead, the evidence showed. Johnson’s remains were ultimately discovered after building personnel, concerned because they had not seen her for some time, conducted a wellness check and contacted police.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Former Police Detective Indicted for Allegedly Assaulting a Cuffed Prisoner

Allegedly Punched Victim in Face and Body Repeatedly While Holding Padlock

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a now-former New York City Police Department detective has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with assault, misconduct and related counts for allegedly assaulting a man inside a holding cell in the 76th Precinct in Carroll Slope, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We expect our police personnel to carry themselves with integrity and respect for others, even when provoked. This defendant allegedly failed that duty and violently attacked a handcuffed and helpless prisoner inside a police precinct. This is unacceptable and criminal conduct for which we will now seek to hold him accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Raymond Ng, 51, of the 76th Precinct detective squad. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second- and third-degree assault, official misconduct, second- and third-degree menacing, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on October 28, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on the morning of January 19, 2026, a 49-year-old man with no prior convictions came to the 76th Precinct stationhouse to surrender on assault charges after being instructed to do so by a detective who had called him. That detective was not available and the defendant, Detective Ng, proceeded to process the arrest and put handcuffs on the man.

Precinct video shows the defendant taking the man to the holding cell and starting to remove the cuffs off, but then stopped and pushed him into the cell, still handcuffed. The video further shows that the arrestee tried to spit or feign spitting on Detective Ng as he shut the cell’s door. The detective then allegedly entered the cell, tried to kick the victim, and punched him repeatedly while holding the padlock in his right hand. He pushed him onto the wall and cell bars and continued to punch him repeatedly in the face with his right hand until other officers intervened.

The victim suffered an orbital fracture, an abrasion on the face, bleeding, bruising, and pain in his head and right shoulder. He was taken to New York Presbyterian/Methodist Hospital where he was treated and released. The misdemeanor case against him has since been dismissed.

The defendant, who joined the NYPD in 2015, has been demoted to police officer and placed on modified duty.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Carter, of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Accountability Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mark Pagliuco, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Eribo, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Brooklyn Had the Fewest Homicides in Any Month Ever This July
As Gun Violence Continues to Decline from Historic Lows

Marking Today’s National Night Out Against Crime After the Longest Murder-Free
Stretch in Brooklyn History; Only Two Homicides Committed in July

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn recorded just two homicides in July, tying the record from this January for the fewest killings in any calendar month. Brooklyn then went 29 consecutive days without a murder — the longest such streak on record. This unprecedented achievement punctuates an ongoing and historic decline in violent crime with homicides dropping by over a third so far this year compared to last year’s record-breaking low.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “For New York City’s most populous borough to go 29 consecutive days without a murder, during the summer months when violence has historically been at its highest, is an extraordinary achievement that would have been almost unimaginable just a few years ago. Brooklyn is experiencing a genuine public safety renaissance, driven by focused enforcement, strong prosecutions, community partnership and sustained investments in preventing violence before it occurs. We are proud of this progress, and we remain determined to bring the same safety and stability to every neighborhood in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney said that there was a homicide in Brooklyn on July 1 and another on July 2. There were no murders since then until a woman was found dead in a suspected domestic incident on August 1. That 29-day stretch is the longest period of no killings in Brooklyn’s modern history. Historically, the highest levels of homicides take place during the summer months. The previous record was 24 days in October 2016. The only other month with just two murders was January of this year. The only months with three homicides on record were December 2025 and February 2026. Typically, the highest levels of homicides take place during the summer months.

[Note that these stats exclude homicides that were reclassified from previous years; the rest of the numbers in this release are based on the NYPD’s Compstat report which includes two additional reclassified murders this year.]

So far in 2026, homicides in Brooklyn are down 37% and shooting incidents are down 16%. Notably, the 22 fewer homicides in Brooklyn compared to this time last year make up 47% of the citywide decline in homicides. The 24 fewer shooting incidents in Brooklyn make up 85% of the citywide decline in shootings to date.

All other major crime categories, except for reported rape, are also on the decline in Brooklyn this year, including a 14% drop in burglaries, 12.5% in grand theft auto and 10% in robberies. Reported hate crimes have decreased by over 21%.

The Brooklyn DA’s Office is employing a comprehensive Stop Violence strategy to end gun violence in Brooklyn, which includes focus on the individuals who cause the most harm, long-term investigations of gang and firearm trafficking, investments in technology, enhanced attention to gun prosecutions, community partnerships, alternative and preventative programs, engagement with youth, outreach initiatives and more.

In recent months, the DA’s Office secured three major gang indictments: against two rival Brownsville gangs in April, two allied crews from Coney Island in May, and two Folk Nation subsets in June. It also relaunched Project Restore, a groundbreaking violence prevention program for gang-involved young men, and hosted a successful gun buyback where nearly 200 weapons were turned over, a student-led youth summit on safety, and an anti-gun violence rally. It additionally took part in a youth listening tour, among other events, and have promoted peace across Brooklyn.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatally
Stabbing Former Roommate in Brighton Beach

Defendant Ignored Order of Protection and Attacked
Victim in His Home in Early-Morning Ambush

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally stabbing his former roommate inside the Brighton Beach apartment they once shared. The defendant broke into the victim’s home in the early morning hours, violating a court order, and ambushed the victim.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and premeditated attack carried out in the supposed safety of the victim’s home. The defendant ignored a court order, returned to the apartment they once shared and viciously took a life in a horrific act of violence. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for that harm.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Pavel Orgaev, 62, of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal contempt on December 6, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, in May 2020 the defendant and victim, Dimitri Buvenov, 45, were living together in a basement apartment in Brighton Beach. After an alleged physical altercation between the two left the victim with broken ribs, the defendant was arrested, and an order of protection was issued requiring him to stay away from the victim. Days later, on May 11, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant walked from his nearby residence to the victim’s apartment, which they had previously shared. In violation of the court order, the defendant unlawfully entered the home and fatally stabbed the victim numerous times.

The victim was discovered inside the apartment and pronounced dead at the scene.

The District Attorney thanked the KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and Homicide Paralegal Sarah-Jane Quashie for their assistance on the case

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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