CB3 MEETING MAY 21:
Community Board 3 will hold its monthly board meeting in-person on Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 pm at Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Blvd. in Corona.
BLVD. GARDENS MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY:
The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 25, at 10 am. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1836 and the Blvd. Gardens Owners Corp., the ceremony will be held at the Main Archway, (31st Avenue and 54th Street).
114TH COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26:
The 114th Community Council will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00 pm at The Marquee Astoria, 25-22 Astoria Blvd. Scheduled speakers are Seth Lynch, NYPD 114th Pct Commanding Officer Inspector and Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney.
SECOND PHASE OF 31ST AVENUE BIKE BOULEVARD REDESIGN:
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the second phase of the 31st Avenue “bike boulevard” redesign in Astoria set to begin later this year. A bike boulevard is a street design that prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians while maintaining local vehicle access. These corridors are designed to reduce traffic, slow vehicle speeds, and create safer, more comfortable routes for riders of all ages.
The second phase of the project proposes a parking-protected, two-way bike lane from Steinway Street to 51st Street, creating a continuous bike boulevard through Astoria from the waterfront at Vernon Boulevard into Woodside. The redesign will increase visibility at intersections, dramatically expand pedestrian space and better organize traffic, improving safety for everyone who uses the corridor.
“At the heart of this administration is a commitment to building a safer city for everyone who calls New York home,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Bike boulevards calm our streets, protect pedestrians and cyclists and make clear that public spaces belong to people, not just cars. This next phase of improvements will help knit Astoria and Woodside together with safer, greener and more accessible streets for New Yorkers.”
“The redesign of 31st Avenue as a bike boulevard was born out of a need for a safer street that prioritizes community building and safety over speeding and cut-through traffic,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn
Traffic diversions at select intersections will reverse the flow of one-way traffic to reduce vehicle volumes, cut-through truck traffic and noise while discouraging speeding. One-way conversions will maintain local access and parking for residents and deliveries while reducing conflicts at intersections to improve safety.
A new circular traffic diverter at 31st Avenue and 43rd Street will improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists and shorten pedestrian crossings. The design will maintain access for emergency vehicles and buses and allow vehicles to continue making all current movements through the intersection.
MAMDANI RELEASES $124.7 BILLION BUDGET:
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the $124.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Executive Budget, putting New York City on firm financial footing while protecting the services working people rely on. Through strong fiscal management, Mayor Mamdani balanced the budget through a combination of aggressive savings, new tax revenue, partnership with Albany and critical new investments in the needs of working-class New Yorkers.
The budget is balanced without raising property taxes, slashing services or drawing down the City’s Rainy Day or Retiree Health Benefit Trust reserves and makes the largest City capital commitment to NYCHA in recent history.
“For too long, working New Yorkers have been told that austerity was the answer to adversity,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This budget rejects that failed politics. We are restoring fiscal stability without slashing the services people depend on, without raising property taxes and without asking working families to pay for a crisis they did not create. Instead, we are making government work for the people of this city: securing support from Albany and taxing the rich so we can invest in housing, safety, child care, parks, libraries and the public goods that make New York the greatest city in the world.”
You can read the full budget here: www.nyc.gov/content/omb/pages/
CABÁN’S STATEMENT ON MAMDANI BUDGET:
In response to the release of the Mayor’s executive budget, Council Member Tiffany Cabán released the following statement:
“I’m glad to see that the Mayor has put forward a balanced budget that preserves the services that New Yorkers rely on. The pied-à-terre tax, shifts in cost-sharing with the state, the baselining of Promise NYC, and new investments in DCWP are important steps toward delivering for New Yorkers. At the same time, many questions still remain. There is much work ahead to dig into the details of this budget. I remain committed to working with my colleagues and with the Mayor to fight for real safety for our city by investing in mental health, harm reduction, and housing, not policing and punishment.”
WONG ISSUES STATEMENT ON FY27 BUDGET:
Council Member Phil Wong (D-Queens), a member of the New York City Council’s Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget proposal:
“While we are still awaiting the full details of the Executive Budget and final state funding figures, I’m pleased to see that property tax increase proposal is off the table after the Council made clear from day one that New Yorkers cannot continue to shoulder additional tax burdens. At $124 billion, this budget is still larger than the budget of many states, including Florida, and middle-class families, especially in the outer boroughs, believe their tax dollars are too often being wasted without seeing the results in the form of increased public safety, cleaner streets, better quality of life, or more reliable services. The State budget being finalized more than a month late also created additional uncertainty for the City’s budget process. As the Council reviews this proposal in the weeks ahead, my focus will remain on identifying efficiencies and savings, reducing burdens on homeowners and small businesses, hiring and retaining more police officers, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and effectively.”
NYPIRG STATEMENT ON MAMDANI’S BUDGET:
The following statement is attributable to Natasha Elder, Regional Director for NYPIRG:
“New Yorkers continue to struggle with rising transit costs and unreliable service while millions rely on public transportation every day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential destinations. While continued investment in public transportation infrastructure and service improvements remains critical, this executive budget misses an important opportunity to expand Fair Fares to more low-income New Yorkers at a time when affordability remains a growing concern. Riders need a transit system that is both reliable and affordable. NYPIRG will continue advocating for faster buses, stronger subway service, and expanded transit affordability programs that ensure public transportation remains accessible for all New Yorkers in the final budget.”
MENG AND KRISHNAN CALL ON MTA TO REOPEN ELMHURST LIRR STATION:
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng joined Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Elmhurst residents, small business owners, and transportation advocates beneath the former Elmhurst LIRR station to call on the MTA to rebuild and reopen the long-shuttered stop on the Port Washington Branch. The event was the latest chapter in a more than decade-long campaign Meng has led to restore service to a neighborhood whose population has grown dramatically since the station was demolished in 1985.
Elmhurst today is a bustling, thriving community that requires and deserves additional transit options to keep pace with its growth. Four LIRR trains currently pass through the site every hour without stopping, while most residents depend on overcrowded subway and bus lines to reach Manhattan and the rest of Queens.
Meng has pressed the MTA on this for more than ten years, sending letters to LIRR leadership, securing inclusion of the project in the agency’s 2015–2019 Capital Plan before funding was stripped in an amendment, and continuing to push for its restoration as Queens has kept growing. She believes in the tangible benefits a reopened station would deliver for her constituents: a one-train ride to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison in roughly 18 minutes, meaningful relief for the overburdened M, R, and 7 trains, and a significant economic boost for Elmhurst’s small business corridor.
UNG TO HOST MAMMOGRAM BUS:
Deputy Leader Sandra Ung is partnering with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation to bring the Mammogram Bus to her district office at 136-21 Latimer Place on Wednesday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Mammogram Bus provides no-cost breast cancer screenings in underserved communities across the five boroughs. Screenings are by appointment only, and can be made through the Deputy Leader’s Office at (718) 888-8747.
ROZIC FUNDS AAFE COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING:
As communities across New York celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) visited the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Flushing Community Center to spotlight a $25,000 state grant she secured for the organization’s youth programming. AAFE served over 3,700 constituents of Assembly District 25 last year and disbursed about $900,000 in small business and home buying loans collectively for local residents.
“As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, it is important that we continue uplifting and investing in organizations like AAFE that strengthen and empower our immigrant communities every single day,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “For decades, AAFE has been a trusted resource providing culturally competent support, expanding opportunities for young people, and helping residents build brighter futures. This AAPI Heritage Month, I not only join my neighbors in celebrating the culture and contributions of the AAPI community, but I am also honored to proudly secure state funding to reaffirm our commitment to organizations like AAFE that help make our community–and our city as a whole–thrive.”
ADDABBO BILL TO STRENGTHEN ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS:
New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., is pleased that a bill he cosponsors to strengthen New York’s aggravated animal cruelty laws and ensure perpetrators of heinous abuse face appropriate penalties passed the New York State Senate. The bill, S.703, amends the Agriculture and Markets Law by removing the word “serious” from the phrase “serious physical injury” in the state’s aggravated cruelty statute. The change closes a loophole that has made it difficult to secure felony convictions in cases where abused animals survive or recover from horrific injuries. “Animals subjected to intentional cruelty and torture deserve the full protection of the law,” said Addabbo. “Too often, offenders avoid meaningful consequences because prosecutors are forced to prove a ‘serious’ physical injury even in clearly depraved and brutal animal abuse cases. This legislation helps ensure that those who intentionally harm companion animals can be held fully accountable.”
The legislation was inspired in part by the 2014 case of Rocky, an English bulldog on Staten Island who suffered severe injuries after ammonia was thrown in his face in an attempt to stop his barking. Rocky suffered ulcers in both eyes and nearly lost his vision. Although the abuse was extreme, the perpetrator ultimately avoided felony aggravated cruelty charges because Rocky survived and recovered from his injuries. Bill supporters argue that current statutory language has contributed to low felony conviction rates in aggravated cruelty cases across New York State. By eliminating the word “serious,” prosecutors would only need to prove that a person intentionally injured or killed an animal in a cruel or depraved manner, rather than meeting a higher and often ambiguous threshold of injury.
“This is about making sure the punishment fits the crime,” Addabbo added. “New Yorkers overwhelmingly believe that deliberate acts of animal abuse should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.” After passing the Senate, the bill now moves to the New York State Assembly for consideration.
LIU ANNOUNCES “AMERICA 250” COMMUNITY CELEBRATION:
State Senator John Liu today announced a community celebration commemorating America’s 250th birthday will take place on Sunday, June 28, at 1 p.m., at Francis Lewis High School. The event will feature free food, live performances, historical re-enactments, student presentations, and interactive presentations honoring our nation’s past while inviting the community to share their hopes and dreams for America’s future. The celebration will be held at Francis Lewis High School, named for Francis Lewis, a Queens resident, Founding Father, and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
As part of the celebration, Senator Liu is inviting students of all ages to participate in a “Declaration of Independence Recitation Contest.” Students are asked to submit a short, 1-minute video of themselves reading the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. Thirteen winners will be selected to participate in a live group reading of the Declaration at the celebration on June 28. Students can call Senator Liu’s office at 718-765-6675 for more information.
The event will also provide opportunities for the public to write their own messages of hope and aspirations for the future. These messages will be placed in a time capsule that will be sealed and displayed at the Flushing Branch of the Queens Public Library and opened in 50 years.
State Senator John Liu stated, “250 years ago, our Founding Fathers envisioned a country granting unalienable rights like the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that all are created equal. On this milestone anniversary, we hope everyone will join us at the Francis Lewis High School, the namesake of Queens’ own Founding Father, to celebrate our freedoms and reflect on what truly makes America great, and share your hopes and dreams for the future.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. stated, “Looking back on 250 years of American independence, our nation’s most important moments and movements were born from everyday residents coming together as one community to push us forward. As we live through one of those moments, I look forward to joining families from across Queens on June 28 to celebrate what it means to be Americans, reflect on how far we’ve come as a country and discuss our dreams for the nation’s next 250 years. Let’s make Queens’ own Founding Father Francis Lewis proud, get engaged in our community and celebrate the ideals that make us all Americans.”
The program for the day will be organized into three themes of “America past, present and future.” Representing America in 1776, 13 student contest winners will reenact the nation’s founding through a live reading of the Declaration of Independence. America in 2026 will feature music, performances, and a cake-cutting ceremony. Looking ahead, attendees will contribute messages of hope for America to the time capsule, to be opened in 50 years.
VELÁZQUEZ PRESENTS FEDERAL FUNDING CHECK FOR WOODHAVEN BLVD.:
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented an $850,000 Community Project Funding check to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) on Monday for Phase B of the Woodhaven Boulevard Select Bus Service (SBS) corridor improvements between 107th Avenue and Union Turnpike. The project will implement capital improvements along the corridor, including median widening, neckdowns, normalized intersections, and pedestrian safety enhancements to support safer streets and more reliable bus service along Woodhaven Boulevard.
ADDABBO LESIGLATION TO STANDARDIZE FOOD EXPIRATION LABELS:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. announced the Senate approval of S.7618B, a bill he co-sponsors, to establish clear food expiration labeling requirements, helping to reduce consumer confusion, cut food waste, and support New York’s climate and food security goals.
The legislation would prohibit the use of vague and inconsistent phrases such as “Sell by” on food packaging and instead require two standardized labels: “Use by” to indicate food safety and “Best if Used by” to indicate peak quality. Manufacturers would also be required to use scientific methods to determine these dates.
“Too many families are throwing away perfectly safe food because confusing labels leave consumers guessing,” said Addabbo. “This commonsense legislation will help New Yorkers save money and reduce unnecessary food waste. Standardizing food date labels is a simple but powerful step toward a more sustainable and food-secure future.”
Additionally, the bill directs the State Department of Agriculture and Markets to develop consumer education materials to explain the new labeling system, while requiring retailers to display signage to help shoppers understand the labels.
“This legislation is about helping consumers make informed decisions while reducing waste across the supply chain,” added Addabbo. “At a time when families are facing high grocery costs, and communities are confronting the impacts of climate change, New York has an opportunity to lead with smart, practical policy.”
The legislation now awaits action in the New York State Assembly.
ASSEMBLY PASSES KIM’S BILL TO EXPAND DIABETES SCREENING:
Today, May 12, the New York State Assembly officially voted to pass Assemblymember Ron Kim’s diabetes screening bill. This legislation, which is also sponsored by Senator John Liu in the State Senate, will expand health insurance coverage for diabetes and prediabetes screenings by mandating insurance providers follow nationally recognized, evidence-based medical guidelines. These guidelines, shaped by the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), recommend that patient populations with higher rates of diabetes at lower BMI levels, especially Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, be screened at a BMI of 23 or higher. Assemblyman Kim’s bill would also eliminate deductibles, co-payments, and other out-of-pocket costs that often prevent early detection and timely treatment.
During the debate in the legislative chamber, Assemblyman Kim shared a personal story of his mother’s health struggles, whose diabetes may have contributed to her passing. He affirmed the bill’s passage as a moving moment in which he could both honor her during Asian Pacific Heritage Month while helping to protect countless New Yorkers from a potential lifelong struggle with diabetes.
Assemblyman Ron Kim, said, “I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me in passing this bill. By following national standards when screening for diabetes and prediabetes, we can intervene early and prevent up to 60% of type-2 diabetes cases by instituting measures that foster better nutrition, care, and exercise. The return on this small investment in prevention early on is invaluable for countless patients and families, who can save loved ones from a lifetime of struggle with diabetes. This is very personal for me, and passing this bill is one way to honor my mother and many others during Asian Pacific Heritage Month but ensuring future patients don’t make the same mistakes moving forward.”
ADDABBO HOSTS NATL. TAP DANCE DAY:
In commemoration of National Tap Dance Day, May 25th, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. hosted a special episode of his podcast “Where Do We Go from Here?” featuring guest Anthony Lo Cascio, a local pioneer of the art form to discuss its lasting significance in American culture. “National Tap Dance Day is more than a celebration of steps and rhythm—it’s a recognition of our shared history, our artists, and the vibrant communities that make Queens a cultural crossroads,” Addabbo said. “By lifting tap, we lift all of us, and we affirm that arts education and inclusive opportunity belong to every neighborhood.”
Guest Anthony Lo Cascio is the Founder and Artistic Director of Taplife Company, a NYC-based dance organization formed in 2013 that offers performances, classes, and apparel. He is a renowned tap dancer and choreographer with over 30 years of experience. Lo Cascio will be hosting a local celebration on Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Forest Park George Seuffert Sr. Bandshell. https://youtu.be/-LH2wHRCCUg
ADDABBO CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS MONTH:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. visited Dexter Wines & Spirits at 75-13 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven on May 8, 2026, to commemorate the store’s place in the community and its membership in New York State’s Historic Business Registry. During the visit, Senator Addabbo recognized Dexter Wines & Spirits as a pillar of neighborhood history and honored the owners Victor and John Hui with an official recognition. The timing is particularly appropriate as May is National Small Business Month. “Dexter Wines & Spirits exemplifies the heart of our neighborhood,” Addabbo said. “For eight decades this family-owned business has continued to bring warmth, knowledge and community back to Woodhaven. As one that has been recognized as a key contributor to our cultural heritage and economy, being on the Historic Business Registry is evidence that it has been able to succeed.” The New York State Historic Business Registry induction recognizes the value of small businesses which form the cultural identity of neighborhoods for a minimum of over 50 years. National Small Business Month celebrates the contributions of entrepreneurs, startups, and local businesses to the economy.
GILLIBRAND, CRUZ APPLAUD COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF THEIR BILLS:
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) lauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage of two of their bipartisan bills: the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act and the Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements (TREY’S) Law.
“I am thrilled that these two crucial pieces of legislation have passed out of committee,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We owe our public safety officers and their families timely access to death and disability benefits, and survivors of child sexual abuse deserve the right to tell their stories and seek public accountability for the horrors they endured. I will not stop fighting until both of these bills are passed by the full Congress and signed into law.”
The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act would amend the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program to improve processing times and reduce delays in benefit determinations. The PSOB Program provides death benefits to survivors of first responders who have died in the line of duty, as well as disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.
The Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements (TREY’S) Law would void nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of child sexual abuse or assault. NDAs can be used to silence survivors of child sexual abuse and shield perpetrators from accountability. This bill would make any NDA provision unenforceable if it prohibits or restricts someone from disclosing the sexual abuse of a minor or facts related to that abuse, regardless of whether the NDA was signed before a dispute arose or as part of a civil settlement agreement.
GILLIBRAND ON RISING GAS PRICES:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) held a virtual press conference slamming President Trump for causing the highest gas prices in years. She called for an immediate and permanent end to the president’s war in Iran, which is directly responsible for raising costs for hardworking Americans.
“Every commute to work, every ride to a doctor’s appointment, and every carpool to school costs 50 percent more today than it did just a year ago due to skyrocketing gas prices. That is a direct result of President Trump’s reckless war with Iran,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The American people do not want this war; they want lower costs. President Trump must end the war once and for all and provide relief to Americans struggling with higher costs in his economy.”
The average cost of gas in New York state today is $4.59 per gallon—nearly 50 percent more than it was a year ago. In some parts of New York, gas is over $5.00 per gallon.
MEEKS FORCES A VOTE ON THE UKRAINE SUPPORT ACT:
Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05); Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus; Bill Keating (MA-09), Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee; Don Bacon (NE-02); and Kevin Kiley (CA-03), today released a joint statement after their bipartisan discharge petition for H.R. 2913 — the Ukraine Support Act — received the final signature needed to compel a vote on the House Floor.
“With today’s 218th signature on our discharge petition, the Ukraine Support Act will soon come to the House Floor for a vote. We are glad the House will finally be moving forward with robust legislation to support the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their nation and its sovereignty. Few have demonstrated as much courage and perseverance in our modern history as the people of Ukraine. In their battle for democracy, self-determination, and the preservation of their territorial integrity, they deserve our help and our material support. The Ukraine Support Act can deliver that assistance, as well as impose additional sanctions on Russia to hold it accountable for its brutal war. We look forward to seeing the House pass this bill quickly and encourage the Senate to take it up without delay. The brave men and women of Ukraine are waiting.”
MENG ENDORSED BY NALAF:
Congresswoman Grace Meng is proud to have received the endorsement of the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF), an organization dedicated to supporting first- and second-generation Americans as they run for office, engage new voters, and expand civic engagement.
Since 2018, NALAF has backed candidates committed to tearing down systemic barriers facing New Americans to protect immigrants and empower communities of color. “Grace Meng’s story is the New American story — the daughter of immigrants who grew up in Queens, made history as the first Asian American elected to Congress from New York, and has spent every day since fighting to make sure her neighbors have a seat at the table,” said Ghida Dagher, President and CEO of the New American Leaders Action Fund. “At a moment when immigrant communities are under attack from the White House, Grace Meng has been a fierce voice for immigrants and accountability in Congress. NALAF is proud to endorse her re-election.”
MENG RECEIVES CARPENTERS ENDORSEMENT:
Representative Grace Meng earned the endorsement of the District Council of Carpenters, the voice behind over 20,000 skilled union carpenters in New York City. Their endorsement builds upon Meng’s impressive coalition of labor support backing her re-election to the House of Representatives.
“Our members build New York, and they deserve a representative who fights as hard for them in Washington as they do on the job site,” said David Caraballoso, President of the District Council of Carpenters. “Grace Meng has never stopped fighting for the men and women who build this city, and she delivers on jobs, wages, and protecting the rights of workers across the city and across the country. The District Council of Carpenters is with her, and we’re proud to help send her back to Congress.”
“The men and women of the District Council of Carpenters are the backbone of our city. They build our skyline, our schools, and our infrastructure,” said Rep. Meng. “Their hard work, solidarity, and commitment to lifting working families reflect the very best of what New York stands for. I’m proud to have their support, and I won’t stop fighting to make sure their voices are heard in Congress.”
BRIAN FOR NY ENDORSEMENTS:
The Brian for NY campaign announced a massive infusion of momentum, securing a slate of high-profile labor endorsements from District Council 37 AFSCME, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, Communication Workers of America District 1, United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9A, and UNITE HERE! Local 100. The campaign has continued to build support from prominent Queens elected officials, including State Senators Kristen Gonzalez and Toby Ann Stavisky, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, and Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson. This diverse coalition of labor unions and Queens leaders reflects a broad and powerful cross-section of Queens, signaling a consolidating front behind Brian’s vision for a more equitable and resilient New York.
Brian Romero is a social worker, community organizer, and candidate for the New York State Assembly in District 34. A Queens native and product of the CUNY system, Brian has been a lifelong advocate for marginalized communities. Brian is running to bring a bold, socialist vision to Albany that prioritizes housing, healthcare, and universal childcare for all.
*** CRIME BLOTTER **
MASPETH MAN INDICTED ON FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR FLUSHING FIRE:
Defendant Attempted to Enter Building Before Fire; Went to Nearby Gas Station, Asked for Matches and Set Combustible Trash on Fire at Bottom of Stairway; Defendant Continues to Be Held Without Bail; Faces up to Life in Prison, if Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Roman Amatitla was indicted on upgraded charges of murder in the first degree along with murder in the second degree, arson in the first degree and related charges for setting a fire that killed four occupants of a Flushing building in March and injured seven others, including two firefighters. The defendant allegedly used matches from a nearby gas station to start the blaze and then watched as the building burned.
Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky remanded the defendant and ordered him to court on July 14.
DA Katz said: “As alleged, Roman Amatitla killed four people, including a 3-year-old girl, when he torched the building where they lived. He continues to be held in custody to assure accountability. This was a horrific crime that shocked the city. A grand jury has now indicted the defendant on upgraded charges of murder in the first degree, which carries a penalty upon conviction of life in prison without the possibility of parole.”
Amatitla, 38, of Maspeth, was arraigned today on a 37-count indictment charging him with four counts of murder in the first degree; 12 counts of murder in the second degree; five counts of arson in the first degree; two counts of assault in the first degree; 10 counts of arson in the second degree; three counts of assault in the second degree; and petit larceny. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole, if convicted.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on March 16, at approximately 11:43 a.m., Roman Amatitla followed a woman into the ground floor of a three-story building at 132-05 Avery Avenue in Flushing and left the premises approximately a minute later. The defendant remained in the vicinity of the property for another 15 minutes and then urinated in front of the location. Amatitla entered and exited the premises two more times in the following seven minutes. The defendant then crossed the street and went into a nearby gas station, where he purchased a beer, stole another beer and asked the clerk for a lighter. When the clerk informed Amatitla that lighters were not free, the defendant took a pack of matches. Amatitla then entered the building at approximately 12:16 p.m., lit a piece of paper on fire and placed it on top of garbage at the base of the only stairwell exit from the upper floors. Shortly afterward, smoke began to fill the street. The defendant stayed in the immediate area and drank beer as he watched the fire consume the building. He then walked to a bodega on Main Street and asked the clerk to charge his phone for him.
Responding firefighters discovered a 3-year-old girl, Sihan Yang, on a third-floor bed and she was pronounced deceased on the scene. A 49-year-old male, Chengri Cui, and a 61-year-old female, Chie Shin Ming, were also both discovered in the building and pronounced deceased on the scene. All three succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Hong Zhao, a 64-year-old male, leaped from a building window and sustained multiple broken bones and brain trauma. He was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital at 2:30 p.m.
Two members of the FDNY, a lieutenant and a firefighter, entered the burning building to conduct rescues. The firefighter fell to the basement when the second-floor landing collapsed beneath him and the lieutenant fell to the basement while trying to rescue the firefighter. They were transported to Jacobi Hospital for smoke inhalation and thermal burns.
Four building occupants were injured when they jumped from the building to escape the blaze, and one remains hospitalized. A fifth occupant was rescued from a second-floor window by the FDNY and was treated for smoke inhalation.
WOMAN INDICTED FOR FIRST-DEGREE ARSON FOR MASPETH FIRES:
Defendant Allegedly Set Fire that Destroyed Chinese Restaurant and Injured Two Victims in Apartments Upstairs; Accused of Additional Fires at Jewish Center and Funeral Home; Faces up to 25 Years, if Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shaniqua Fort was indicted on charges of first-degree arson, reckless endangerment and other crimes for allegedly setting fires at several storefront locations along Flushing and Grand Avenues in Maspeth on April 13. The defendant allegedly started a blaze that destroyed a Chinese restaurant and the apartments above the business, which injured two occupants; set fire to an American flag in front of a funeral home; threw a brick through the window of an insurance office; and tossed an unknown object through the window of a Jewish center and then lit a fire outside the building.
DA Katz said: “As alleged, this defendant intentionally set multiple fires that gutted a local business, injured two victims, desecrated an American flag and damaged a Jewish center. During the chaos, the defendant also allegedly threw a rock through the window of a local storefront. My office has secured a grand jury indictment charging the defendant with upgraded first-degree arson and other crimes. She faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.”
Fort, 36, of Chicago, was arraigned today on an indictment charging her with arson in the first degree, arson in the second degree, two counts of arson in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, two counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, arson in the fifth degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino continued remand and ordered the defendant to return to court on June 30. If convicted, Fort faces up to 25 years in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on April 13, at approximately 9 p.m., Fort approached 888 Chinese Restaurant at 60-92 Flushing Avenue and removed a black trash bag from a trash can in front of the building. She then placed the bag into an alcove leading to an entryway, set it on fire and walked away from the location. An occupant of a second-floor apartment above the restaurant shattered a window with his arm to climb out and escape the fire. He sustained lacerations, bleeding and substantial pain to his arm. Another victim was inside a second-floor apartment at the location and jumped from the window to avoid being burned. She was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery for two broken heels and treatment for a finger fracture, burns to multiple fingers and legs and soot inside of her throat and nose.
Several minutes after allegedly setting the fire at the Chinese restaurant, Fort approached D’Angelo’s Funeral Home at 64-18 Grand Avenue and set on fire an American flag hanging from the front of the building. She removed a second flag hanging from the front of the location and walked away.
Shortly afterward, Fort allegedly picked up a brick and threw it through the glass window of an Allstate insurance company office located at 65-02 Grand Avenue.
After that, Fort allegedly approached the Maspeth Jewish Center at 66-64 Grand Avenue, picked up an unknown object and threw it at a glass window, shattering it. The defendant then walked toward several objects along the side of the Jewish Center building and lit them on fire. Fort then went through her belongings, grabbed an unknown object and placed it into the fire, causing the fire to grow in intensity.
Fort was apprehended shortly afterward by members of the 104th Police Precinct.
DEFENDANT SENTENCED FOR 2021 SHOOTING IN OZONE PARK:
Dwayne Scott Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter for Fatally Shooting 20-year-old Victim Just Steps from His Ozone Park Home; Victim and Defendant Had Money Dispute
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Dwayne Scott was sentenced to 21-1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the first degree for gunning down a 20-year-old man in September 2021. The victim, father of a toddler and the defendant’s former friend, was fatally shot over an apparent money dispute.
District Attorney Katz said: “The defendant killed his former friend over nothing more than a dispute over several thousand dollars and left behind lasting trauma for both families. His sentencing cannot undo the harm, but we hope it provides the victim’s loved ones with a sense of closure from this senseless act of gun violence.”
Scott, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree before Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise on April 9. Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavisnky sentenced the defendant yesterday to 21-1/2 years in prison, to be followed by five years post release supervision.
District Attorney Katz said, according to the charges and investigation, on the evening of September 24, 2021, the 20-year-old victim had just parked a car near the intersection of 102nd Road and 84th Street. He was walking down the street when the defendant stepped out of another vehicle and fired at the victim multiple times at point blank range. The victim was discovered by a neighbor, who transported him to Jamaica Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Just before his death, the young father told the neighbor that “Ferry Balla” – a known nickname for the defendant – from Buffalo shot him. Scott was apprehended in Buffalo several weeks later and returned to Queens to face charges. Scott and the victim were former friends who had a falling out over a money dispute valued at approximately $4,000.
QUEENS RESIDENT CONVICTED OF MURDER:
Mark Albano Killed Victim in Grand Avenue-Newtown Subway Station; Defendant Faces up to 100 Years to Life in Prison at Sentencing
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Mark Albano was convicted yesterday by a jury of murder, attempted murder and other crimes for stabbing four men in 2021, killing one on the Grand Avenue-Newton subway platform and seriously injuring three others. These attacks took place on four separate days over a two-week period.
District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant went on a completely unprovoked stabbing spree on the streets of Astoria and Elmhurst. One incident cost a man his life and another left an unsuspecting victim with permanent injuries. The jury has spoken, and the defendant now faces up to 100 years to life in prison. We hope the verdict provides a measure of solace to the victim’s loved ones.”
Albano, 39, of Elmhurst, was convicted of murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the first degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Trial openings began on April 28, and closings took place on May 13. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before reaching a verdict. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered Albano to return to court on July 24 when he faces up to 100 years to life in prison.
According to the charges and trial testimony, on April 23, 2021, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant approached 57-year-old Leroy Williams on the platform of the Grand Avenue-Newtown subway station in Elmhurst. Albano stabbed the victim once in the chest and then fled. He discarded the jacket he was wearing in a trash can a few blocks from the station. The victim died at a nearby hospital from the injury.
On May 3, 2021, Albano approached a man from behind on 35th Avenue in Astoria and stabbed him once in the back of the neck, then fled. The victim was taken to an area hospital for stitches.
Four days later, at approximately 8 p.m., Albano followed a third victim on 51st Avenue near 90th Street in Elmhurst. Without provocation, Albano closed in on the 31-year-old man and stabbed him in the back of his neck. The victim fell to the ground in pain but was able to see Albano running away from him carrying a bag. The victim’s spinal cord was severed, and he sustained permanent injuries from the attack.
The next day, May 8, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Albano confronted a 40-year-old man in a reputed gambling den in Elmhurst. Albano pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in his arm and armpit. Responding police officers found the victim lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to a hospital, where he needed both stitches and staples to close the stab wounds.
Police apprehended Albano blocks away from the scene, carrying a bag that contained a knife.
ALBANS MAN CONVICTED OF THREE COUNTS OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER:
Defendant Told Investigators He ‘Just Snapped,’ Faces Life in Prison at Sentencing
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that David Daniel was convicted by a jury of three counts of murder in the first degree for the stabbing deaths of two tenants and his girlfriend inside his St. Albans home in November 2023. The defendant told investigators the attacks were prompted by the tenants’ failure to pay rent and an argument with his girlfriend.
District Attorney Katz said: “Three people lost their lives at the hands of this defendant when he became enraged over a rent dispute. He stabbed to death his girlfriend and two tenants, who were each found with multiple stab wounds to their neck and chest. Shortly after committing the murders, Daniel turned himself into a police precinct and confessed that he did a ‘horrible thing.’ This defendant’s actions will have repercussions in three families for generations to come and with today’s conviction he will now face life in prison.”
Daniel, 56, of St. Albans, was convicted by a jury of three counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of murder in the second degree, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Trial openings took place on May 5 and closings on May 14. The jury deliberated for several hours before reaching a verdict. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder set sentencing for June 9, when the defendant faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and trial testimony, on November 14, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Daniel arrived at the 113th Precinct stationhouse and told officers he had done a “horrible thing” that morning. The defendant told police that he was having trouble with his tenants, who had not paid rent in a long time. The defendant also believed his girlfriend was about to move out of the residence and end their five-year relationship. At approximately 7:16 a.m., officers from the 113th Precinct went to Daniel’s home on Milburn Street. In the basement, they found Daniel’s tenants, 57-year-old Wayne Thomas and 55-year-old Evette Sweeney, lying face up on the floor. Each had sustained multiple stab wounds. Officers found Daniel’s girlfriend, 51-year-old Coleen Caesar Fields, face down on a bed in a second-floor bedroom. She also had sustained multiple stab wounds. The three victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Daniel was seen leaving his home at approximately 6:20 a.m. on November 14 holding a garbage bag and entering a car.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.