STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A second defendant has pleaded guilty in connection with a shootout incident two years ago in Clifton, during which an officer in pursuit opened fire.
Raymond Jackson, 31, of Bowen Street in Clifton, pleaded guilty Monday to criminal possession of a firearm in connection with the April 16, 2023, incident. In exchange for his plea, he is scheduled to be sentenced March 25 to 16 years to life in prison.
The plea offer took into account the defendant’s multiple prior convictions, court records show. If he had been convicted at trial on the top charges, which included attempted murder, he was facing the possibility of decades in prison without the option of parole.
The other man involved in the shootout, now 29-year-old Tehuti Ayeboafo, of Park Hill Avenue in Clifton, also pleaded guilty in the case. He was sentenced in December 2023 to two to four years in prison, records indicate.
An officer who was in the area at the time of the shooting responded to the sound of gunshots, according to his subsequent testimony in court. He spotted Jackson running and gave chase.
Surveillance footage showed the officer open fire while in pursuit of the defendant. He testified that he saw Jackson turn back toward him, and feared he might open fire.
Shootout in broad daylight: D.A.
Police investigators cordoned off a section of the Park Hill Apartments near 55 Bowen St., following a shootout and then an officer-involved shots fired incident on April 16, 2023.
Prosecutors said the shootout unfolded on an unseasonably warm Sunday outside Jackson’s apartment building. There were multiple witnesses out and about.
Ayeboafo fired at Jackson, who then returned fire, prosecutors said. It remains unclear what led up to the violence. At the time, Jackson was living with his wife and working in demolition, the defense noted at his arraignment hearing.
Prosecutors said the shootout spanned the length of a city block, and that when officers arrived at the scene Jackson allegedly refused to stop and put down his weapon.
An aerial look at the Park Hill Apartments in Clifton, which coincidentally was captured Oct. 17, 2023, just months after the shooting incident. Jason Paderon
After fleeing through a small patch of woods connecting the Park Hill Apartments with Hillside Avenue, Jackson hopped a fence and ultimately was found by police hiding under a tarp in a neighbor’s backyard.
Prosecutors stated in court that an officer responding to the incident opened fire, in order to “prevent more harm” toward himself or others.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the ordeal.
In this Aug. 25, 2023 photo, defense attorney Mark J. Fonte speaks at a press conference following a judge’s ruling in state Supreme Court, St. George.(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)Officer was ‘reckless’: Defense
Defense attorney Mark Fonte stated the following Tuesday:
“The responding officer recklessly and dangerously fired his weapon on a city street while chasing the suspect. The officer put more lives in danger than either of the suspects did.
“I was eagerly looking forward to cross examining the police officer at trial but my client’s best interests were served by taking a plea.
“I am absolutely pro law enforcement, but this event cries out for some re-training. Innocent civilians were placed in danger by all three of these individuals.
The NYPD cordoned off a large crime scene in Clifton on Sunday, April 16 in the Park Hill section of Clifton following a shootout and then a police-involved shots fired incident. Joseph Ostapiuk
“Once again, I urge all of these youngsters on Staten Island to put their guns down. Lives are being destroyed either by death or long prison sentences. Life is too precious to be thrown away.”
Defendant claimed he was running for safety 
The NYPD cordoned off a large crime scene in Clifton on Sunday, April 16 in the Park Hill section of Clifton following a shootout and then a police-involved shots fired incident. Joseph Ostapiuk
Immediately following his arrest, Jackson claimed he was running toward cops for help while being shot at by multiple assailants, according to his attorneys at the time.
The defendant — who stands about 6 feet tall with a thin build and bushy beard — also claimed he was not armed, despite pleading guilty Monday to the gun charge.
During his arraignment hearing in state Supreme Court, St. George, he stared down an assistant district attorney who read through the charges.
D.A.: ‘Senseless gun violence’
In this Nov. 15, 2025 photo, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville, for the 10th annual Staten Island Remembers, honoring fallen Staten Islanders who served in the New York Police Department. Owen Reiter
District Attorney Michael E. McMahon issued the following statement this week in regard to the defendant’s guilty plea:
“Armed with a loaded and illegal firearm, Raymond Jackson fired a barrage of bullets onto the streets of Park Hill almost three years ago.
“While no one was injured as a result of Jackson’s reckless act of gun violence, this dangerous recidivist endangered the lives of several Staten Islanders, including multiple NYPD officers.
“Those who choose to engage in senseless acts of gun violence in our borough will be held accountable in the courtroom – Raymond Jackson learned that lesson this week as he pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree with a promised prison sentence of 16 years to life behind bars.
“I commend our partners in the NYPD for their heroic work to pursue and apprehend this gun-toting defendant and thank Assistant District Attorney Ahkianne Wanliss and Trials Bureau Chief Antonia Assenso for securing a significant prison sentence and ensuring that justice was served in this harrowing case.”