Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Ricardo Henry was sentenced today to 17 years to life prison for the fatal stabbing of a 38-year-old homeless shelter resident in retaliation for a domestic violence assault that one of Henry’s friends believed to have taken place at the East Elmhurst shelter.

District Attorney Katz said: “The defendant carried out a cold-blooded killing at the behest of a friend, who took it upon herself to act as judge, jury and executioner. With today’s sentence, we have achieved justice for the victim and hope it affords some peace to his loved ones.”

Henry, 39, of Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, was convicted after a jury trial in May of murder in the second degree, conspiracy in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael B. Aloise sentenced him to 17 years to life in prison.

His codefendant, Tanika Sauls, 49, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced last month to 10 years in prison.

According to the charges and trial testimony:

• On November 5, 2019, at approximately 7:25 p.m., police responded to The Landing Family Shelter on Ditmars Boulevard to investigate a report of domestic violence involving 38-year-old Abdul Silas and his girlfriend. The police interviewed them both, but neither reported any violence. As police did not observe any injuries, they left.
• At around 9 p.m. that night, Henry and Sauls were outside the shelter celebrating Sauls’ birthday. Sauls could be heard telling others that Silas needed to be taught a lesson about putting his hands on women. As she said this, Henry said something to the effect of, “I’m your guy; no women, no children.”
• At approximately 9:30 p.m., Sauls said she was going to get Silas and then knocked on his door. He came out of the shelter a few minutes later.
• As soon as Silas stepped outside, he and Henry argued. They then walked up the street to fight out of view of the shelter’s security cameras.
• Henry produced a knife and stabbed Silas four times, including once in the heart. Sauls yelled at others present during the attack to be quiet because Silas was getting what he deserved.

Assistant District Attorney Courtney Charles, Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Felony Trial Bureau III, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Homicide Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.