Flatbush Teen Charged in Shooting of 8-Year Old Girl

Today, the District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office indicted a Flatbush 16-year old for allegedly shooting a young girl who was sitting in a van at a Canarsie intersection earlier this year.

Tajay Richards, 16, was arraigned today in a Brooklyn court and charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related counts stemming from the shooting.

The incident took place on February 26, when a group of teens was fighting in the Popeye’s located at Flatlands Avenue and East 83rd Street in Canarsie.

“We ran them outside,” said store manager Marlando Douglas. “When they went outside they were still fighting. Then one of them pulled a gun and fired.”

According to the District Attorney’s statement, Tajay Richards admitted to firing a gun towards a group of individuals that day. A stray bullet struck the 8-year old victim in the back of the head as she sat in a van at the nearby intersection. She was taken to the hospital in serious condition, but luckily, she survived.

“This defendant had the audacity to allegedly open fire during rush hour in the middle of a busy street, striking an innocent young girl who thankfully survived,” said District Attorney Gonzalez. “Senseless gun violence will never be tolerated in Brooklyn and this defendant will now face the consequences of his poor choices.”

Richards is being held on $500,000 bail and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted of second-degree attempted murder. Of course, the indictment is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. He will return to court on May 21, 2018.