Flatbush Teen Indicted For Fatal Shooting Outside Elementary School

A teenage-shooter in the fatal incident that took father and husband Gerald Cummings’ life on August 3 was indicted today on murder and other related charges, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

Adonis Barnett, 16, had been part of a group that reportedly stole an expensive hat from Cummings’ 17-year-old son, Gerald Sealey, according to the Brooklyn DA’s office.

When Sealey spotted the thieves at a Bedford Avenue basketball court, he called his father who immediately confronted Barnett and his friends, snatching the Don C Oakland Raiders hat off one of their heads. The fight escalated and Barnett allegedly took out a gun from his backpack and shot Cummings twice, said police.

Barnett was arrested at his Flatbush home on Thursday, August 19 and arraigned the next day at Brooklyn Criminal Court. He was charged with murder and possession of a weapon, and held without bail.

Barnett was indicted today on charges of second-degree murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. He faces 25 years to life if convicted, according to the Brooklyn DA office.

“A coveted baseball cap set off a deadly chain of events that ended with a father shot to death in front of his teenage son outside an elementary school playground,” said District Attorney Ken Thompson. “This was a cowardly and callous act, for which this defendant will now be held accountable.”

“My husband died in my son’s arms,” said Migdalia Cummings. “He gave up his life to save my son. My son picked up my husband while they were still shooting and he said, ‘Dad, don’t go.'” reported the New York Daily News.

Romell Baptiste, 16, was at the scene of the incident and was also indicted with a charge of second-degree robbery, according to the Brooklyn DA’s office.