New York (TCD) — A 24-year-old Brooklyn man was acquitted of murdering a 14-year-old honors student in 2013, and another suspect has been charged with involvement in the shooting death of a 19-year-old student.
The Queens District Attorney's Office announced. On Tuesday, May 21, Shamel Capers was charged with attempted second-degree murder, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment in connection with the shooting death of Joshua Taylor. Dante Hunter, Capers' alleged co-conspirator, was charged with the same crime, except for second-degree murder.
At 3:17 a.m. on July 23, 2023, Taylor and several other people were standing in front of a building on Metropolitan Avenue when one of Taylor's friends threw a drink near Capers and his friend, according to the statement. Capers and his friend began arguing with Taylor and his group, and Hunter reportedly joined Capers. The dispute “escalated into a four-way shootout,” with Hunter reportedly pulling out his gun first.
Taylor was caught in the crossfire and shot in the chest. Person A was taken to a nearby hospital, but was confirmed dead.
NYPD officers responding to the scene recovered more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings from the area. Evidence showed Hunter fired the fatal round.
Investigators identified Capers as the suspect through credit card records and surveillance video. Hunter was reportedly already in custody on parole violation charges at the time of his indictment, and Capers was arrested in New Jersey. He is expected to be extradited to New York City.
Capers was released from prison two years ago. District Attorney Melinda Katz vacated the murder conviction. D'Aja Robinson shooting on May 18, 2013. Robinson was riding a bus home from his friend's birthday party when he was shot following a “gang-related argument.”
Police arrested gang member Kevin McClinton on suspicion of murder. A witness said he “fired all 10 shots.” Another gang member, Lael Jappa, reportedly implicated Capers in exchange for a reduced sentence on other felony charges. That witness testified at Capers' trial and said he saw Capers fire the gun. Katz said Capers' conviction was “primarily based on Jappa's eyewitness account.” He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
However, Jappa reportedly admitted in a recorded phone call that he had given false testimony. Capers was 15 years old when he received his sentence, and served eight years in prison before his release.
WPIX-TV Report “History has tragically repeated itself,” Capers' mother said in a statement. “It is happening,” he said. Shamel plans to vigorously defend himself in court, and I hope this time he is given a fair opportunity to clear his name.”
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