Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a 15-year-old male has been charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly shooting and killing a motorist on Farmers Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon. The defendant, an alleged gang member, allegedly discharged a 9mm handgun multiple times near a Popeyes restaurant after a dispute with a rival gang member. William Alcindor, who was not the intended target, was shot once in the head and twice in the body as he drove by the location in his Nissan Rogue. The car then careened into a nearby pedestrian.

District Attorney Katz said: “Instead of walking away from a verbal altercation with a rival gang member, this teenage defendant allegedly drew his gun and sprayed bullets across Farmers Boulevard in the middle of the afternoon. A 66-year-old father of three is now dead and an innocent pedestrian is seriously injured because of the defendant’s alleged actions. Our thoughts are with the family of William Alcindor and the young woman who is now recuperating from her injuries as we prosecute this completely senseless act of gun violence.”

The 15-year-old juvenile was arraigned last night before Judge Edward Daniels on a complaint charging him with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The defendant was remanded and ordered to return to court today. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years to life in prison.

According to the complaint and investigation:

• On September 16, 2024, at approximately 4:50 p.m., video surveillance footage from outside the Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen restaurant located at 117-13 Farmers Boulevard near 117th Road shows the defendant wearing all black clothing and white sneakers in a dispute with another male on a scooter.
• The defendant produced a firearm and pointed his arm toward the westbound direction of 117^th Road and then discharged his weapon.
• At the same time, motorist William Alcindor, 66, of Cambria Heights, was driving Eastbound on Baisley Boulevard in his Nissan Rogue. As he approached the intersection of Farmers Boulevard and 117th Road, the victim was struck by gunfire.
• With the victim incapacitated by life-threatening gunshot injuries, the SUV veered off the street onto the curb and slammed into a 23-year-old female pedestrian standing on the sidewalk.
• Both victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their extensive injuries. The female victim suffered a concussion and shattered leg and remains in critical care. Mr. Alcindor suffered 3 gunshot wounds: including one to the forehead and two to the chest. Despite surgical efforts, he was pronounced dead due to his injuries later that night.
• Officers later recovered nine (9) 9mm caliber shell casings on the ground at the intersection of 117^th Road and Farmers Boulevard.

Assistant District Attorney Barry Frankenstein, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Charles L. Dunn, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Goldstein, Senior Deputy Bureau Chief and Jonathan Sennett, Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.