Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting in Middle Village (2024)

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.

• Subway Flasher Sought in Dowtown Manhattan

  NEW YORK, NY—The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a lewd act aboard a southbound “1” train near Whitehall Street and South Street, approaching South Ferry. The incident occurred on Monday, May 13, at approximately 2:00 PM.

  A 37-year-old female reported that an unidentified male exposed himself and committed a lewd act while on the train. Following the act, the suspect fled the scene on foot to an unknown location. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported in connection with this incident.

  

  The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, around 35 years old, standing 6’1” tall and weighing about 265 lbs. He has long black dreadlocks and brown eyes. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a white t-shirt, a black hooded zip sweatshirt, gray pants, and black shoes.

  The NYPD is urging anyone with information about this individual or the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation and ensure the safety of all subway passengers.

• NYPD Manhunt for Fugitive Child Rape Suspect Thomas Barnaby

  BRONX, NY—Thomas Barnaby, a 30-year-old male, has been identified as the suspect in a series of sexual assaults reported in the Bronx. The incidents occurred at a residence near River Avenue between December 19 and December 23, 2023.

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  The assaults were reported to the police on Saturday, December 30, 2023. According to the reports, a female victim was raped on multiple occasions by a male individual.

  

  The investigation into these assaults remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather more information.

  The victim was later identified as a 12-year-old girl.

  Police are currently searching for Barnaby.

  Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

• Arrest Made in Connection with Fatal Stabbing in Harlem

  BRONX, NY—Tyquane Jemmott, a 33-year-old Bronx resident, has been arrested on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon. The arrest occurred following a fatal stabbing incident in Harlem.

  On Monday at approximately 5:35 AM, police were dispatched to a 911 call reporting a female stabbed in front of 134 Haven Avenue in the jurisdiction of the 33rd Precinct. Arriving officers found a 29-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from multiple stab wounds.

  EMS transported the victim to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, where she was later declared dead.

  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will confirm the cause of death.

  As of Tuesday at 12:01 PM, the investigation is ongoing with Jemmott held as a person of interest.

• Employee Assaulted During Smash and Grab at NYC Smoke Shop

  NEW YORK, NY—A violent incident at a smoke shop on 162 East 16th Street was reported on Tuesday afternoon.

  At around 3:22 PM, a group of five unidentified individuals entered the store and assaulted a 22-year-old female employee by kicking her in the face.

  They also attempted to steal items from the shelves.

  Despite their efforts, no property was taken, and, fortunately, no injuries were reported. The assailants fled the scene on foot heading west on 16th Street towards Irving Place. The NYPD is currently investigating the incident and seeking any information that could lead to the identification and capture of the suspects involved.

• Queens Man Facing Criminal ChargeAfter Fatal Traffic Crash

  QUEENS, NY—A fatal collision in Queens has led to the arrest of Mohammad Bhuiyan, a 48-year-old local resident. The incident occurred at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and 41 Avenue on Monday night. Bhuiyan, who was driving a yellow 2023 Toyota Rav4 taxi, allegedly failed to obey a traffic device, resulting in a head-on collision with a motorcycle.

  The motorcycle, a 2020 Yamaha XMAX 300, was operated by 59-year-old Antonios Spyropoulos, also from Queens. Spyropoulos was ejected from his vehicle and sustained severe head and body trauma. He was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where he was later pronounced deceased.

  Bhuiyan, who remained at the scene, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and failing to obey a traffic device. The NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate the circ*mstances surrounding the crash.