Grand Jury Indicts 7 for Deadly Baby Shower Shootout, Hiding Guns in Party Food
Seven People Facing Criminal Charges for Gang-Related Shooting
A 55-count grand jury indictment has been issued, charging seven people with criminal offenses related to a deadly gang-related shootout that occurred at a baby shower in Queens last year.
Shooting Unfolded at Volume Seventeen Venue
According to the indictment, two men approached the Volume Seventeen venue in Richmond Hill around 1:30 a.m. and opened fire on a group of about a dozen people who had been standing outside. The group scattered, with many running for cover inside.
Fatal Shooting and Injuries
The indictment alleges that the men continued firing through the windows of the venue, injuring three people and fatally striking 24-year-old Jefari Dobie-Reinhardt, of Great Neck.
Baby Shower Attendees Included Children
More than 40 people had gathered at the Atlantic Avenue venue for the baby shower, including four young children, prosecutors said.
Surveillance Video Captures Chaos
Surveillance video recovered around the time of the shooting captured the sound of gunshots, just as a white car was seen speeding away from the area. Additional video from the scene shows detectives pouring through a crime scene littered with party decorations and dozens of bullet casings.
Charges and Allegations
Four men in their early 20s were each charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a firearm, and endangering the welfare of a child. One of those men allegedly snuck a gun into a tray of food and carried it out of the venue.
A 50-year-old Brooklyn man was also hit with weapons charges and tampering with physical evidence. According to the district attorney, he was the expecting grandfather at the baby shower and dropped a gun into a tray of rice after the firearm was handed to him. His 26-year-old son was charged with tampering for allegedly placing a cover over the tray of rice.
Gun Found in Tray of Rice
A 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol was found in a tray of rice inside of a garbage bag at the venue.
Community Concerns
Following the shooting, neighbors told News 4 that the venue typically hosts parties that get out of control.
“This place is a problem. Since it opened it’s a problem: fighting, drugs, gunshots,” Wasir Rasul, who has lived in the area for nearly 20 years, said. “I hope they close it down after this.”
Conclusion
The grand jury indictment is a significant development in the case, and it is expected that the defendants will face serious consequences for their alleged actions. The community is left to wonder how such a tragedy could occur and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: How many people were charged in connection with the shooting?
A: Seven people were charged in connection with the shooting.
Q: What were the charges against the defendants?
A: The defendants were charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a firearm, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Q: What was found in a tray of rice at the venue?
A: A 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol was found in a tray of rice inside of a garbage bag at the venue.
Q: Have any arrests been made in connection with the shooting?
A: A seventh person has not yet been arrested, according to the district attorney’s office.
