The scene of the shooting near Junction Boulevard last month (Citizen)
Aug. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin
A Brooklyn teen was charged with murder Friday for the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy that took place in Elmhurst last month.
Dennis Vassilenko, 18, was charged with murder and other crimes for allegedly shooting and killing Eduardo Hernandez Martinez on an Elmhurst street in broad daylight on July 7.
Vassilenko, of Bay Ridge, was standing near Hernandez Martinez on 40th Road near Junction Boulevard at around 4:20 p.m. when he suddenly pulled out a firearm. He allegedly shot the teenager twice in the torso, according to the charges.
Hernandez Martinez, of Corona, was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, but couldn’t be saved.
“Easy access to illegal guns has resulted in another senseless tragedy in our community,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “A 17-year-old is dead, allegedly killed by another teenager in broad daylight. This bloodshed must end.”
The victim allegedly had a BB gun in his possession at the time he was shot. The shooting was believed to be drug-related, police said at the time.
Vassilenko was arrested by police Thursday. He was arraigned Friday on charges of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
He is due back in court on Aug. 3. If convicted, Vassilenko faces up to 25-years-to-life in prison.
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