Apr 15, 2014 2 min read

Men Heard Arguing in Video Before Walt Whitman Houses Murder

Neighbors and friends placed flowers and candles where Armal Mallory was shot and killed in the Walt Whitman Houses early Monday morning. (Photo by Emily Field)

A video posted on the social media site Reddit (warning: obscene language) offers insight into an argument between at least two men that happened moments before Armal Mallory, 42, was shot and killed at 12:25 a.m. outside his home in the Walt Whitman Houses.

The video, which does not show any faces, captures shouting and yelling before six shots are fired. At about one minute before the shots, a man yelled several times, “Fall back, T.D.”

Mallory was shot in the head and torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police, who recovered five 9 millimeter shells at the scene, are searching for a man in his 20s wearing a white shirt, white pants and a brown hat in connection with the shooting.

Mallory had a criminal record dating to 1989, when he was arrested for robbery, police said. He was arrested 21 times since – most recently on Oct. 31, 2013 for criminal possession of a weapon in the 78th Precinct. Thirteen of those arrests are sealed, according to police.

Mallory had pled not guilty to the most recent charges, which included indictments for possession of cocaine and marijuana, and was currently out of jail on $10,000 bail. He was next scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

A childhood friend, who declined to be named for fear of retaliation, said that she had grown up with Mallory in the Walt Whitman Houses, where he lived with his wife, Tishawna Williams, 42. She said they had four children, ranging in age from adult to pre-teen.

Armal Mallory, 42, grew up in the Walt Whitman Houses. (Photo via Facebook.) — Armal Mallory, 42, grew up in the Walt Whitman Houses. (Photo via Facebook)

Knocks on the family’s door and calls to their phone were not answered.

“I don’t understand what happened or why,” Mallory’s friend said, who described Mallory as a good father and husband.

“In this neighborhood, there’s been so much life-style changes with gentrification,” she added. “It’s safer, but we still have that piece of violence that happens. It’s a sad day for us Fort Greeners.”

Anyone who has information about the shooting is encouraged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477), submit tips online or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577. Those with information can also call the 88th Precinct’s Detective Squad at (718) 636-6547.