QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the arraignment of William Hernandez on charges related to a violent confrontation involving his building superintendent and responding police officers.
Hernandez, 65, of Woodside, faces an 11-count indictment, including charges of attempted murder in the first and second degrees, kidnapping, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison. Supreme Court Justice Leigh K. Cheng scheduled Hernandez’s next court appearance for January 17, 2024.
The incident unfolded on November 22, when Hernandez allegedly confronted superintendent Cruz Catana Velasquez, 48, in their building. Hernandez is accused of holding Velasquez at gunpoint in an elevator for about 54 minutes, later shooting him as he escaped. Velasquez sustained multiple gunshot wounds but managed to flee the building.
Responding officers from the 114th Precinct encountered gunfire from Hernandez, leading to an exchange of shots. Hernandez then barricaded himself in his apartment, leading to a two-and-a-half-hour standoff with the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit. Hernandez was eventually apprehended with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A loaded 9 mm firearm was recovered from Hernandez’s apartment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas E. Salmon of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau.