Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting in Middle Village

Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting in Middle Village
NYPD officers respond to incident. photo by Erik Lattwein.

QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Dante Hunter and Shamel Capers following their indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor in Middle Village on July 23, 2023. Hunter is charged with murder, and Capers with attempted murder, among other charges.

The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 23 last year, began when a friend of Taylor’s threw a drink towards Capers and a friend outside a convenience store, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a shootout. Hunter, who joined Capers, is alleged to have fired the round that killed Taylor. The exchange of gunfire resulted in more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings recovered at the scene.

Hunter, 25, of Far Rockaway, faces charges including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Capers, 24, of Brooklyn, faces charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. Both defendants could face up to 25 years to life if convicted of their respective top charges.

The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Christopher Gerardi of the NYPD’s 104th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Lizabeth Klein of the Queens North Homicide Squad. Capers was arrested on May 16 in New Jersey and has been extradited to New York to face charges, while Hunter was already in custody on a parole warrant at the time of the indictment. Justice Michael Aloise has scheduled their next court appearance for June 18.

  • Queens man indicted for $7 million property fraud scam

    BROOKLYN, NY — A Queens man has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating a $7 million real estate fraud scheme by forging documents to sell a Sunset Park property without the knowledge of his business partners, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Friday.

    Wing Fung Chau, 53, of Bayside, was arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court on multiple charges including two counts of first-degree grand larceny and three counts of first-degree falsifying business records. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on June 4, 2025.


    Key Points

    • Wing Fung Chau, 53, indicted on grand larceny and falsifying business records charges.
    • Chau allegedly forged signatures to sell a $7.2M Sunset Park property without partners’ consent.
    • Investigation began after the corporation president’s attorney alerted the District Attorney.

    According to prosecutors, Chau was one of three shareholders in 37-19 Realty Inc., which owned a 25% interest in the property at 6208 8th Avenue. Chau allegedly entered into unauthorized contracts, forged corporate signatures, and filed false documents to facilitate the sale of the property.

    District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly attempted to steal approximately $7 million using forged documents and false filings,” emphasizing the commitment to protecting property owners from fraud.

    Forged documents used to finalize multimillion-dollar sale

    Investigators allege that at the November 18, 2021 closing, Chau alone represented 37-19 Realty and presented several forged documents: a false agreement from the corporation’s president consenting to the sale, a false termination from a prior buyer, and a fraudulent letter from the corporation’s accountant.

    Prosecutors said Chau then transferred the sale proceeds into bank accounts under his sole control, withdrawing almost all of the money within eight months. None of the funds were distributed to the other corporate shareholders.

    Attorney’s tip led to investigation

    The fraud came to light after the corporation’s president, who was unaware of the sale, had her attorney contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, triggering the investigation that led to Chau’s indictment.

    Authorities stated that real estate fraud remains a growing concern as property values continue to rise sharply across Brooklyn.

    A Queens man faces serious charges after allegedly forging documents to steal millions in a Brooklyn property sale.

  • Man stabbed to death inside Brooklyn Bridge subway station

    NEW YORK, NY — A 38-year-old Brooklyn man was fatally stabbed Friday morning inside a Manhattan subway station, authorities said.

    Police identified the victim as John Sheldon of 82 Saint Edwards Street, Brooklyn. Officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 8:37 a.m. reporting a stabbing at the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall station, located near Centre Street and Chambers Street, within the 5th Precinct and Transit District 2.


    Key Points

    • Victim identified as John Sheldon, 38, of Brooklyn.
    • Sheldon was found unconscious and unresponsive with multiple stab wounds.
    • No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

    Upon arrival, officers found Sheldon unconscious and unresponsive with multiple stab wounds to his torso. Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived on scene and transported him to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, where he was later pronounced dead.

    “There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing,” police said in a statement following the incident.

    Investigation ongoing in early morning attack

    The fatal stabbing occurred during the morning commute, raising concern among travelers moving through one of Manhattan’s major transit hubs. Officials did not immediately release information regarding potential suspects or a motive.

    The NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward as detectives from the 5th Precinct and Transit District 2 continue to investigate.

    Victim identified, police seek information

    Sheldon’s death adds to growing concerns about violence in the subway system, an issue that remains under scrutiny by city officials. The station where the stabbing occurred is a major interchange used by thousands daily.

    Authorities have not yet confirmed if surveillance footage captured the attack or if witnesses were present during the incident.

    A tragedy unfolded in the heart of Manhattan as a Brooklyn man was fatally stabbed in a busy subway station.

  • Gunman threatens MTA worker during BX41 bus dispute in the Bronx

    BRONX, N.Y. — The NYPD is searching for a man who allegedly threatened an MTA employee with a firearm during a confrontation aboard a BX41 bus in the Bronx, police announced.

    Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting in Middle Village

    The incident occurred Saturday, April 19, 2025, around 12:50 p.m. when the unidentified male boarded the bus near 170th Street and Webster Avenue. After a verbal dispute with a 37-year-old female MTA worker, the suspect displayed a firearm and made threats before fleeing on foot.


    Key Points

    • Suspect displayed a firearm and threatened an MTA employee on April 19
    • Incident occurred aboard a BX41 bus at 170th Street and Webster Avenue
    • NYPD seeks suspect, described as a male with dark complexion

    NYPD seeks suspect in Bronx bus threat

    Police say the victim was not physically injured during the encounter. The suspect’s motive has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether he knew the MTA employee prior to the incident.

    The NYPD released images of the suspect and is asking for the public’s help in identifying him. He is described only as a male with a dark complexion. Authorities have not released further identifying features or details.

    The man fled the area on foot following the altercation, and his direction of travel remains unknown.


    Public asked to aid in identification

    The NYPD is urging anyone with information about the suspect or the incident to contact investigators. Tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers or by calling 911.

    The investigation remains active, and no arrests have been made as of Friday.

    Police hunt suspect who flashed gun, threatened MTA employee during Bronx bus altercation.

  • Fugitive sought in the Bronx after molesting teen girl on MTA bus

    BRONX, N.Y. — The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man wanted in connection with a forcible touching incident that occurred on a BX12 bus in the Bronx earlier this week.

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    The incident took place on Monday, April 21, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., when an unidentified male suspect approached a 14-year-old girl and grabbed her buttocks before fleeing the scene on foot.


    Key Points

    • 14-year-old girl groped on BX12 bus in the Bronx on April 21
    • Suspect fled on foot and remains at large
    • NYPD released photo and description, seeking public’s help

    Police release image of suspect in disturbing incident

    The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, last seen wearing a red baseball cap and a blue denim jacket. His identity remains unknown, and police have distributed images of the individual in an effort to gather information from the public.

    The victim did not sustain physical injuries, according to authorities, and the matter is being investigated by the 48th Precinct.

    The NYPD is classifying the event as a forcible touching incident and continuing their efforts to locate the suspect.


    Public assistance critical as investigation continues

    Police are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information related to the incident to contact them immediately. Tips can be submitted through NYPD Crime Stoppers or by calling 911.

    The investigation remains ongoing.

    Police search for suspect who groped teen girl on Bronx bus and fled the scene.

  • Brooklyn woman, 80, reported missing after vanishing from East 37th Street home

    BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 80-year-old Marlene Calixte, who was last seen Thursday evening at her home in the 63rd Precinct.

    Calixte was reported missing after she was last spotted around 7:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025, at 1088 East 37th Street in Brooklyn. Police say she has not been seen or heard from since.


    Key Points

    • Marlene Calixte, 80, last seen April 24 at her Brooklyn residence
    • She is 5’4″, 140 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes; speaks Creole
    • Last seen wearing a black sweater with white stripes, plaid skirt, and black shoes

    NYPD issues alert to locate elderly woman

    Described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and 140 pounds, Calixte has black hair and brown eyes. She communicates in Creole, according to information provided by police.

    At the time she went missing, Calixte was wearing a black sweater with white stripes, a black and white plaid skirt, and black shoes.

    The NYPD has not indicated whether there were signs of foul play or if Calixte has a history of wandering. Her disappearance has prompted a widespread search and a community-wide alert for any sightings or information.


    Public urged to assist with any leads

    Authorities are urging anyone who has seen Calixte or who may have information about her whereabouts to come forward. As of Friday, her location remains unknown and she is classified as a missing person.

    Tips can be reported to the NYPD or submitted via standard emergency lines.

    Police continue searching for 80-year-old Marlene Calixte, last seen at her Brooklyn home Thursday evening.