Second Shooter Sentenced in 2015 Applebee’s Slaying

Second Shooter Sentenced in 2015 Applebee’s Slaying
A blood stain left at the scene of the 2015 shooting (Photo by Fort Greene Focus)

DOWNTOWN – The second shooter in a 2015 gang shooting outside an Applebee’s in Downtown Brooklyn was sentenced yesterday. The confrontation, between Fort Greene’s “900” crew an East New York gang, resulted in the death of a 16-year old and the wounding of an 18-year old man.

Malik Peters, 19, of Fort Greene, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial earlier this month. Yesterday, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, announced District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

According to trial testimony, the shooting occurred after members of Fort Greene’s “900” crew confronted members of the East New York “4 to 5” crew outside the Flatbush Applebee’s on October 26, 2015. Around 6:00 pm, during the confrontation, Peters’ co-defendant, Tyshawn Simon-Roberson, pulled a gun and shot twice, hitting an 18-year old man in the ankle.

As the “900” crew fled the scene of the shooting, “4 to 5” associates ran after them. During the chase, Peters produced a gun and fired at the pursuing rivals, killing 16-year old Armani Hankins. Peters himself was 16 years old at the time.

Co-defendant Simon-Roberson was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the same charges as Peters earlier this month.

“This is the second defendant brought to justice for brazenly opening fire on a busy Downtown Brooklyn street with no regard for those around him. The shooting took one young man’s life and injured another. Such senseless violence will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Gonzalez in a statement.

Politicians responded to the 2015 shooting with calls for anti-gun violence programs and funding. Borough President Eric Adams and Councilmember Laurie Cumbo urged collaboration between state, city and community groups.