Umbrella Hotel (Google Maps)
Sept. 11, 2020 By Allie Griffin
A reputed teenage gang member has been indicted on attempted murder charges for a July shooting outside a troublesome hotel in Kew Gardens.
The 15-year-old defendant — whose name was not released due to his age — fired several shots at a 17-year-old outside the Umbrella Hotel, located at 124-18 Queens Blvd., on July 3, according to the charges.
The teenagers were inside the lobby at the hotel when the victim walked outside and was followed by the 15-year-old just before midnight. The defendant pulled out a handgun and shot at the other teen, hitting him in his right leg, the charges state.
The 17-year-old fell to the ground when he was struck by a bullet and rolled under a car to hide from the shooter. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was rushed into surgery for a shattered femur, according to the charges.
Police identified the alleged shooter from video surveillance and arrested him the next day.
The defendant, who lives in Jamaica, was arraigned last week in Queens Supreme Court on a six-count indictment, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
The charges include attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
The teen’s next court date is Sept. 25. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in person.
“This senseless act of violence demonstrates yet again the consequences of the volatile combination of gangs and guns,” Katz said. “A young man has been apprehended for this shooting and will be held accountable for his alleged actions.”
She didn’t specify the gang the 15-year-old is allegedly affiliated with.
The Umbrella Hotel was also the scene of a separate shooting on Aug. 9 that left the hotel doors ridden with bullet holes, as well as a number of other illegal activities.
The DA’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD are investigating the Aug. 9 shooting and other crimes, Katz said.
“These incidents will be investigated and prosecuted with every tool available to law enforcement,” she said.
Local leaders said the city has not done enough to combat the criminal activity at the Kew Gardens hotel.
Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal and Council Member Karen Koslowitz are calling on City Hall to shut down the hotel.
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