Gang Member Sentenced Today For Brazen 2014 Cortelyou Road Shooting

A Flatbush gang member has been sentenced for fatally shooting a rival in the head in broad daylight just east of Flatbush Avenue.

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced today that 24-year-old Avon Simmons of Bedford Avenue was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for fatally shooting a man on Cortelyou Road.

Simmons was sentenced in Brooklyn Supreme Court today following his guilty plea to second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on February 9th, 2016.

According to the D.A.’s office, on August 13, 2014 at 8:30 am, Simmons fired multiple shots at Prinso Ulysse, 26, who was standing outside of 2149 Cortelyou Road, close to East 22nd Street.

A bullet struck the side of Ulysse’s head and he suffered extensive hemorrhaging and swelling to the brain. He died in Kings County Hospital on September 3, 2014.

The shooting was captured on high definition surveillance video that clearly showed Simmons stepping into the street, firing a gun at Ulysse, who was on the sidewalk, and then walking away, the D.A.’s office said.

Simmons is a member of the G-Stone Crips gang and likely targeted Ulysses in retaliation for a past incident in which Simmons’ brother was shot, the D.A.’s office stated.

“We will not allow gang members to settle their scores with guns, endangering innocent residents and sowing fear in our communities,” said District Attorney Thompson today.