March 13, 2000

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the arrest of two men in connection with a shooting in Far Rockaway's Redfern Houses last Friday that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander who was a member of the development's Tenant Patrol.

District Attorney Brown said, "Tragically, last Friday evening, Mrs. Maria Medina, a well respected member of the Redfern Houses' Tenant Patrol, was chatting with an acquaintance in a vestibule area of her building when a stray bullet which was apparently aimed at a man in the street pierced the metal lobby door and killed her. It is alleged that Mrs. Medina's death was caused by a bullet aimed at Jonathan Whitmore, 25, of 1357 Dickens Street, Far Rockaway who was outside the building exchanging gun fire with 22-year old Tully Hyman also of Far Rockaway.

The District Attorney said that, "Mrs. Medina's death was a senseless tragedy that calls out for a re-doubling of our efforts to rid Far Rockaway of guns and violence."

According to District Attorney Brown, it is alleged that Hyman and Whitmore had an ongoing personal dispute and that on Friday night at about 7:15 p.m. Whitmore was standing in front of 15-40 Hassock Street when Hyman approached in a vehicle, spotted Whitmore and began shooting at him. Whitmore allegedly returned fire. It is charged that during the gunfight a bullet pierced the door of the vestibule in which Mrs. Medina was standing and killed her.

The defendant Tully Hyman is charged with Mrs. Medina's murder and the attempted murder of the defendant Whitmore. He is also charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon. He faces a life sentence if convicted of the murder charges. Whitmore is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The District Attorney said that the investigation of the incident is continuing.

Assistant District Attorney Nana Sas of the Homicide Investigations Bureau, which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Peter T. Reese and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Gregory L. Lasak, is in charge of the case.

It should be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a defendant should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.