What’s News, Breaking: Monday, January 8, 2023

January 8, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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JUDGE HANDS BROOKLYN MAN 25-YEARS-TO-LIFE
SENTENCE FOR MURDER IN CROWDED DELI

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A BROOKLYN MAN WHO OPENED FIRE INSIDE A CROWDED EAST NEW YORK DELI was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 8, to 25-years-to-life in prison for an execution-style murder, Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. The defendant, Marcus Worrell, of East New York, had already been convicted, during a jury trial, of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the June 5, 2020, fatal shooting of Evon Hillman, 28, at the 620 Livonia Avenue deli. Worrell shot both Hillman and another man who sustained massive internal injuries. Evidence showed that Worrell then left the deli, and robbed another man of his motorbike at gunpoint. The NYPD arrested him two months later.

Hillman left behind a fiancée and unborn son who was born two months after Hillman’s murder.

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DRIVER IN FATAL COLLISION CHARGED AS UNLICENSED;
ALL OCCUPANTS OF OTHER VEHICLE FLEE SCENE

BUSHWICK — ONE MAN IS DEAD AND TWO OTHERS WERE CRITICALLY INJURED IN AN EARLY-MORNING COLLISION IN BUSHWICK on Monday. The crash, which happened around 12:48 a.m. near the intersection of Irving Ave. and Stockholm St., within the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick, involved the drivers of a Kia Sportage SUV and a Toyota Yaris. According to the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad’s preliminary report, the Kia collided with the Toyota, which caused a chain reaction as the Toyota struck three parked, unoccupied vehicles. An unidentified rear passenger from the Toyota taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst was pronounced deceased; his identity has been withheld pending family notification. Two other male passengers were taken to the same hospital in critical condition. The Toyota’s driver, 26-year-old Jorge Sanchezde Lozada Haiek, was treated at Elmhurst Hospital, taken into custody and faces a charge of Aggravated Unlicensed Operator.

The Kia’s driver and passengers left the scene, fleeing on foot. As of press time they are still at large.

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REP. MALLIOTAKIS CALLS FOR ARRESTS OF PROTESTERS WHO SHUT DOWN BRIDGES

BAY RIDGE — FOLLOWING MONDAY MORNING’S PRO-PALESTINIAN RALLY, IN WHICH PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN THREE EAST RIVER CROSSINGS AND THE HOLLAND TUNNEL DURING THE HEIGHT OF RUSH HOUR, CONGRESSMEMBER Nicole Malliotakis (R-11) urged the mayor and NYPD to arrest those involved. She pointed out, “Not only is this a critical security concern in the event of an emergency, but it’s illegal to impede vehicular and pedestrian traffic under city law. This protest tactic is one that we’ve seen ceasefire activists use across the country since November. Instead of placating to these individuals who may disrupt traffic for hours, the Mayor should order the NYPD to immediately begin making arrests to hold these obstructionists accountable for disorderly conduct.”

According to guidelines from the American Civil Liberties Union on First Amendment rights for protesters and rallygoers, “certain types of events require permits,” including “events that require blocking traffic or street closure,” although bridges are not specifically mentioned. However, the ACLU also points out that the “First Amendment prohibits such an advance notice requirement from being used to prevent rallies or demonstrations that are rapid responses to unforeseeable and recent events.”

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BK, WB BRIDGES SHUT DOWN OVER PALESTINE PROTEST

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — TRAFFIC WAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED ON MONDAY morning on the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges, as well as in the Holland tunnel, by small groups of pro-Palestine protesters congregating in the roadways, reports ABC News. The protests began around 10 a.m., shortly after rush hour; police reportedly quickly moved to make arrests for blocking traffic, with car travel resuming before 11 a.m. on the Brooklyn Bridge.

A much larger pro-Palestine march shut down the Brooklyn Bridge in October of last year when an estimated 9,000 marchers crossed over into Manhattan, garnering both applause and anger from other pedestrians.

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MAN SHOT IN LOBBY OF FARRAGUT HOUSES
NEAR BROOKLYN NAVY YARD

DOWNTOWN/NAVY HILL — A 35-YEAR-MAN WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN THE LOBBY of 234 Sands St. in the Farragut Houses, directly across the street from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, at roughly 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7. Police who responded to a 911 call found Richard Reed, who lived in a different Farragut building, with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. EMS transported Reed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.

There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing, according to police.

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BIDEN GIVES SHOUTOUT TO SCHUMER & JEFFRIES
FOR TENTATIVE DEAL TO AVERT SHUTDOWN

WASHINGTON, D.C. — PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ON SUNDAY APPLAUDED BROOKLYNITES Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, Leaders of the Senate and House, for their work in crafting a bipartisan funding framework that moves the country “one step closer to preventing a needless government shutdown and protecting important national priorities.” The plan, still incomplete, rejects deep cuts and is free of extreme policies, Biden said in a statement.

Republican extremists called the bill a “total failure,” presenting headaches to House Leader Johnson, CNN reports, and a shutdown is still possible. The framework includes $6.1 billion in new clawbacks of pandemic aid, $20.2 billion in IRS funding rescissions, and the deletion of billions in emergency funds, according to Rollcall.

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TWO BROOKLYN HEIGHTS SMOKE SHOPS HIT
BY SAME ROBBERS WITHIN MINUTES

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — TWO SMOKE SHOPS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM EACH OTHER IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — one on Atlantic Avenue and one on Clinton Street — were hit by robbers on Sunday, Dec. 17, police said. At roughly 9:29 p.m. two suspects entered the Clinton Convenience and Smoke Shop at 200 Clinton St. The pair displayed a firearm and attempted to rob the cash register, but were unsuccessful and fled. Three minutes later, at 9:32 p.m., the same individuals entered the High Class Convenience Store at 99 Atlantic Ave. They again displayed a firearm and succeeded in forcibly removing currency and merchandise before fleeing. No one was hurt.

The first suspect was described as male, 6’0″, with a dark complexion and medium build, last seen wearing a black jacket, blue face mask and white sneakers. The second individual was described as male, 5’9″, with a dark complexion and medium build, last seen wearing a black jacket, black Nike face mask and blue pants. If you have information please call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or visit Crime Stoppers online.

Image of Brooklyn Heights smoke shop robber. — Photo: NYPD

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MTA SUSPENDS Q TRAIN LINE
FOR TRACK REPLACEMENT

ATLANTIC AVE. HUB — THE MTA IS ALERTING Q TRAIN RIDERS THAT MUCH OF THIS SUBWAY ROUTE WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR TRACK REPLACEMENT WORK on weekends during January, including Jan. 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29 (Jan. 15 is a federal holiday), from 12:45 a.m. Saturdays to 5 a.m. Mondays. Brooklyn Community Board 2 announces there will be no Q service between the Prospect Park station and 96 St. in Manhattan during these times. N trains replace the Q between Atlantic/Barclays and 96 St, Manhattan, while a fare-free shuttle bus will make stops between Prospect Park and Atlantic Ave-Barclays Ctr. The Q train will operate between Stillwell Ave. and Prospect Park station (which will be the last Manhattan-bound stop).

Commuters needing direct through service to Downtown Brooklyn or into Manhattan during these times are advised to take the D, F or N trains.

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ASSEMBLYMEMBER SIMON HOSTS NEW YEAR’S OPEN HOUSE

CARROLL GARDENS/BOERUM HILL — BROOKLYN ASSEMBLYMEMBER JO ANNE SIMON INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO AN OPEN HOUSE TO WELCOME THE NEW YEAR. The Open House, taking place this coming Thursday, Jan. 11, from 4-6 p.m., will be a chance for constituents to meet neighbors, bring good spirits and raise any community questions or concerns. The District Office is located at 341 Smith Street, between President and Carroll Streets, in Carroll Gardens. An RSVP is requested.

The Open House has a social service component as well: Assemblymember Simon’s district office is collecting new socks and underwear and new or gently used hats and scarves for neighbors in need.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL REACHES SETTLEMENT
WITH A DEFENDANT IN NRA CASE

STATEWIDE — ON THE EVE OF TRIAL, A SETTLEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WITH ONE OF THE FIVE DEFENDANTS IN THE ONGOING National Rifle Association CASE that is scheduled to go to trial on Monday, Jan. 8, NY Attorney General Letitia James announced on Saturday, Jan. 6. Joshua Powell, the NRA’s executive director of operations and chief of staff, one of five defendants in Attorney General James’ case against the National Rifle Association has reached a $100,000 agreement with her office, in which he admits to their claims of wrongdoing in the lawsuit. Wayne LaPierre, who recently resigned as the NRA’s executive vice president, was, as of press time, still scheduled to go on trial on Monday.

The courts have repeatedly rejected NRA’s efforts to challenge Attorney General James’ suit, with the NY State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division in Manhattan rejecting the latest attempt just after the New Year.

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SUBMIT COMMENTS ABOUT PARK AVE./BQE
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO CB2

FORT GREENE — NYC DOT IS PLANNING A PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT on Park Avenue between Ryerson and Classon streets under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. CB2 invites residents to review the presentation and submit comments or questions to the District Office for review by the DOT/DDC team by Friday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. The project will eliminate the existing crossover underneath the BQE at Park Avenue and Grand Avenue to create a new throughway for traffic traveling westbound on Park Avenue to access Grand Avenue northbound.

DOT says the realignment will improve vehicular and pedestrian safety by slowing traffic and creating a large open public space underneath the BQE. DOT does not anticipate providing amenities to this space, however.

BQE Park Ave 1 — Rendering courtesy of NYCDOT

BQE Park Ave 2 — Rendering courtesy of NYCDOT

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SITE FOR NEW BAY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL

BAY RIDGE — IN ITS FINAL SESSION OF 2023, THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A LAND USE APPLICATION by the School Construction Authority for a new, 676-seat high school facility on two lots at 437-443 Ovington Ave. in Bay Ridge. The facility in Justin Brannan’s District 43 would also include a D75 special education school. The lots are on the site of the now-shuttered St. Nicholas Home for the Aged. The school would alleviate some of the pressure at Ft. Hamilton High School, which is so overcrowded (with more than 4,500 students) that the school day starts at 7:20 a.m. and spreads over 10 periods, according to Inside Schools.

In May 2023, Community Board 10 voted down the application, citing traffic issues, overcrowding in the area and concerns that a new high school would not primarily serve local students. The vote was advisory only, however, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.

Ovington St. School — Photo: Helen Klein/Brooklyn Eagle

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PROBE INTO IRT DERAILMENT SHOWS DISABLED TRAIN HAD COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER ONE IN MOTION

CITYWIDE — SERVICE ON THE IRT IN MANHATTAN AND PARTS OF BROOKLYN WAS STILL PARTIALLY DISRUPTED ON FRIDAY, following a derailment at the Upper West Side’s 96th St. station Thursday, Jan. 4, around 3 p.m., that injured more than two dozen passengers. An investigation into the derailment continued beyond the Friday morning rush hour. The Daily News reported at 11:17 a.m. on Friday that a train found to be vandalized was pulled out of service, and while being moved to a Bronx maintenance yard, collided with a functioning northbound No. 1 train. The in-service passenger train had been green-lighted to proceed along the tracks, while the disabled train, which was being operated from the mid-train conductor’s cab (not normal procedure) had a red light and was not given permission to move. It then rammed into the in-service train mid-point, derailing it.

No. 2 trains were running along the East Side IRT 4 and 5 lines on Friday. Partial service restoration was expected by Friday afternoon.

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REP. MALLIOTAKIS HELPS SECURE FUNDS FOR WTC HEALTH PROGRAM

CITYWIDE — CONGRESSWOMAN NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS (NY-11) WAS SCHEDULED TO JOIN LOCAL POLICE, FIRE AND EMS UNIONS Friday afternoon to highlight the new funding she secured for the World Trade Center Health Program that covers health care costs for 9/11 first responders and survivors. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law at the end of 2023, included a bipartisan, bicameral amendment that Rep. Malliotakis supported. That amendment provides an additional $444 million to address the World Trade Center Health Program’s budget shortfall, plus $232 million to extend coverage for military and civilian 9/11 first responders at the Pentagon & Shanksville, PA.

The NYPD’s Benevolent Associations covering the city’s police officers, lieutenants, detectives, sergeants, captains, the FDNY’s firefighter and fire officers, and the Emergency Medical Services Association were among those participating.

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GOVERNOR INTRODUCES NY SWIMS PROGRAM TO INCREASE POOLS, WATER SAFETY LESSONS

STATEWIDE — NEW YORK STATE WILL RECEIVE AN INVESTMENT IN SWIMMING POOLS, LIFEGUARD TRAINING AND SAFETY PROGRAMS, as part of a proposal that Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled in her State of the State address on Friday. The program, named NY SWIMS, will build out municipal pools in high-need areas, connect New Yorkers to the state’s rivers and lakes, deploy pools in urban environments and invest in state parks and pools. It will also promote initiatives to help more New Yorkers swim safely by addressing the statewide lifeguard shortage, increasing swimming instruction and increasing amenities at pools and beaches.

NY SWIMS will select high-need areas to build pools, to mitigate the increase in heat waves attributed to climate change. It will also address the urgent need to teach water safety at an early age, as drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4.

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REPORT SHOWS BROOKLYN 2ND ON LIST OF RESIDENTS MOVING TO WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

BOROUGHWIDE AND NORTH CAROLINA —BROOKLYNITES ARE MOVING IN DROVES TO WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, the area near the state’s capital, according to a new report from WRAL, a broadcast station headquartered in Raleigh. The WRAL report showed Kings County in New York City comes in second regarding out-of-state new residents, after Cobb County, Georgia. The report showed also that Kings County and the other top ten counties around the U.S. that are losing residents to North Carolina are bringing in higher median household incomes than those already living in Wake County. However, a chart accompanying the report seemed to show the reverse: that the area median income in Wake County is higher, around $80K-$100K annually.

The report was generated from a question on the American Community Survey which asks where they lived the year before, giving a panorama of the annual movement around the country.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL: NRA EXECUTIVE’S RESIGNATION GIVES NO INSULATION FROM ACCOUNTABILITY

STATEWIDE — NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION (NRA) EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT WAYNE LAPIERRE RESIGNED HIS POST ON FRIDAY, three days before a trial against him starts, and prompting a statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James. The attorney general in 2020 initiated a lawsuit — with the trial starting this Monday, Jan. 8 — alleging that LaPierre and NRA senior management misappropriated millions of dollars to fund personal benefits, including private jets, expensive meals, and even family trips to the Bahamas. The NRA, as a New York-registered not-for-profit, charitable corporation, has legal obligations to use its funds for charitable purposes specifically. “While the end of the Wayne LaPierre era is an important victory in our case, our push for accountability continues,” said Attorney General James. “LaPierre’s resignation validates our claims against him, but it will not insulate him or the NRA from accountability.”

The OAG investigation found that instead of serving NRA members, senior management blatantly disregarded New York state and federal laws, and even internal NRA policies.

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FAMILIES CAN SEE THEIR NEWBORNS FROM AFAR, THANKS TO MAIMONIDES’ NEONATAL ICU EXPANSION

BOROUGH PARK — MAIMONIDES MEDICAL CENTER HAS EXPANDED ITS NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU), the hospital system announced on Friday, Jan. 5. The expansion of the NICU adds 17 NICU beds to Maimonides Children’s Hospital, bringing the total to 48 beds, each one outfitted with an Angel Eye camera that enables families to see their child from anywhere in the world via an app. The expansion includes other equipment-based resources to help support patients, families and medical staff in providing care.

Maimonides is a New York State-designated Regional Perinatal Center, Level 4 NICU, which is equipped to offer advanced procedures, and provides around-the-clock coverage for all high-risk deliveries and care, including a neonatologist on-site 24/7.

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SCALE LENDING PROVIDES $46M LOAN FOR CLINTON HILL APT. BLDG.

SCALE LENDING HAS FINALIZED a $46 million bridge loan for Arris Grand, a newly completed apartment building in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. The loan will aid in the leasing the nine-story multifamily building located at 982-998 Fulton Street. Designed by the award-wining architecture firm Fogarty Finger, Arris Grand encompasses 113 rental apartments, ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, and 7,154 square feet of street-level retail at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Fulton Street.

“Arris Grand will serve as an architecturally distinct addition to one of Brooklyn’s quintessential brownstone neighborhoods,” said Martin Nussbaum, co-founder and Principal at Slate Property Group.

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ASSEMBLYMEMBER ABRUPTY RESIGNS

ASSEMBLYMEMBER LATOYA JOYNER, a Bronx Democrat who heads the Labor Committee, plans to resign Monday at mid night to take a job outside of government. Joyner has served in the Assembly since 2015, according to the Daily News. In her statement, she offered no more details about her future endeavors.

Joyner represents Highbridge, the Grand Concourse, Mount Eden and Morris Heights. She went to SUNY Buffalo School of Law and served as a court attorney before she ran for office.