In connection with the robbery and fatal shooting of another man on a city street, an 18-year-old resident of the city, Jevoun Drake, was formally charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon, as per court documents. The victim, 21-year-old Usman Pirzada, tragically lost his life in the incident that occurred on Tuesday night.
Who is Jevoun Drake?
Drake, who is set to turn 19 on Sunday, appeared in City Court for arraignment with his public defender, where the gravity of the charges was made explicit in the criminal complaint.
The charges against Drake extend beyond second-degree murder, including first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a pistol, as detailed in the legal filing. The complaint further notes that Drake had assistance from another participant in the commission of the crimes and that a pistol was brandished during the incident.
Dressed in a black hoodie and navy blue pajama bottoms, Drake stood before City Court Judge Mark Caruso, who explained that bail could not be set due to the felony nature of the charges. The court proceedings also involved setting a preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, and Drake was subsequently remanded to the county jail.
The fatal shooting occurred around 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Steuben Street in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood. Tragically, Usman Pirzada succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning at Albany Medical Center Hospital.
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The unfolding legal proceedings are likely to delve into the circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes, shedding light on the events leading up to the fatal encounter on the city street. The judge’s decision to forego bail emphasizes the severity of the charges, underscoring the gravity of the situation as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident.
