Bushwick man receives 25-year sentence for Bedford-Stuyvesant manslaughter

August 19, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The Brooklyn Supreme Court at 320 Jay St., where Darrien Weekes was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal 2019 shooting in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

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A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2019 fatal shooting of Malik Russell in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendant, Darrien Weekes, 26, of Bushwick, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in April 2024.

“Today’s sentence ensures that this defendant will spend many years behind bars for a senseless and deadly act of gun violence,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “My thoughts are with Malik Russell’s loved ones as they continue to grieve his loss.”

The incident occurred on June 1, 2019, at approximately 3:41 a.m. on Chauncey Street, where the 29-year-old victim was walking alone when he encountered Weekes and a co-defendant, Oliver Kinard, 27. The three men, who were acquaintances, shook hands and engaged in conversation. Without warning, Weekes then drew a gun and fired three shots at Russell, hitting him in the upper chest.

After the shooting, Weekes took Russell’s hat and left him lying on the sidewalk near a pile of garbage bags. The incident was captured on video surveillance, which also showed Weekes approaching and leaving the scene. Russell was transported to Interfaith Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Weekes was arrested on June 10, 2019, and later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Kinard, who pleaded guilty to third-degree hindering prosecution, was sentenced to a conditional discharge.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Cassandra Pond and Viviane Dussek under the supervision of Homicide Bureau Chief Leila Rosini.