boy-shot
New York, NY (77WABC)-On the day the boy he allegedly shot to death would have turned 11-years-old, the suspect in the boy’s murder turned himself in to police and confessed to killing the youth in front of his family’s home in Far Rockaway Saturday night. A second shooting victim, the boy’s 29-year-old uncle was shot in the shoulder but survived.
NYPD Chief James Essig has posted a video related to the fatal shooting on Twitter:
🚨🚨APPREHENSION🚨🚨
The tireless efforts of the @nypd101pct detectives has resulted in the apprehension of Javon Young who has been charged with the murder of 10-year-old Justin Wallace and the shooting of another victim. @NYPDTips @NYPDShea
— NYPD Chief of Detectives (@NYPDDetectives) June 9, 2021
Facing charges of Murder, Attempted Murder, 2-counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Assault is 29-year-old Jovan Young of 54-30 Beach Channel Drive in Queens.
Around 9:30 Saturday night shots rang out in front of the family’s home at 342 Beach 45 Street in Edgemere during a family barbecue. The boy, Justin Wallace died at Saint John’s Episcopal Hospital of a gunshot wound to his torso.
“Tonight, we are feeling a wide array of emotions. Today we celebrate Justin Wallace’s 11th birthday without him. He should still be here with his family, celebrating all his accomplishments, the incredible young man he had become, and the bright future ahead. We will never forget Justin, and he is forever in our hearts.
Queens Borough President Richard Donovan reacted to Young’s arrest saying, “As we continue to mourn Justin, we must continue to end gun violence in Queens. We need to continue to invest in our communities and ensure our families can live safely. We owe it to Justin and everyone we senselessly lost to gun violence.”
“We feel some relief to see an arrest in this case. This will not bring Justin back, but I hope this brings some closure to Justin’s family and friends. This is hopefully a step forward to justice,” said Donovan.
The boy’s uncle was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his shoulder injury.
Police have not released a motive for the deadly shooting.
An investigation is ongoing.
