December 24, 1999

FAR ROCKAWAY MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER IN CROWDED NIGHT CLUB SHOOTING

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the conviction of a Far Rockaway resident Tuesday night on charges of murder, attempted murder and five counts of assault when he walked away from a quarrel only to return moments later and begin firing in a crowded club.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Kareem Broxton, 30, of 14-16 Point Breeze Place, Far Rockaway. He was convicted after a two and ½ week trial held before Supreme Court Justice Randall Eng of the murder of William Beamon and the attempted murder of Fritz Davis at a show case for amateur rap groups in the Owl Club in Jamaica in the early morning hours of April 20, 1997. He faces 25 years to life in prison on the murder charge plus additional consecutive terms for the other shootings when he is sentenced by Justice Eng on January 19, 2000.

District Attorney Brown said, "The defendant orchestrated an act of revenge following in a quarrel, shooting someone he perceived as having insulted him, murdering another man, crippling a third and shooting into a crowd and risking the lives of everyone enjoying a night out. His calculated and wildly depraved indifference to the welfare of others proves that he is a danger to the community."

According to the testimony at trial, during the early morning hours of April 20, 1997, the defendant was insulted by a man attempting to speak to a woman who was accompanying him. The defendant walked away but returned minutes later, opening fire without warning on the man and others in the crowded club. Two of Broxton's friends also drew their guns and fired. Eleven people were wounded: William Beamon, 29, died at the hospital within the hour; James Paulsaint, 24, was permanently paralyzed and a third victim who was celebrating her 23rd birthday has spent more than a year in the hospital.

Senior Trial Attorney Richard Schaeffer and Assistant District Attorney Barry Weinrib prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Saunders and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Gregory L. Lasak.