Jamel Ethridge faces up to 40 years in prison for his 2016 crimes. (iStock)
March 29, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
A Flushing man who fired shots at two plainclothes NYPD housing officers was convicted of attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon today in Queens Supreme Court.
Jamel Ethridge, 40, was convicted by a jury after a four-week trial and now faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 9.
Ethridge, according to the complaint, confronted NYPD Lieutenant Melody Robinson and Officer Rafi Mashriqi at around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2016 while they were doing a routine inspection of the Baisley Park Houses, located in South Jamaica.
Ethridge pointed a handgun at the officers while making his way toward them on the second floor of the building, and then fired one round.
Police fired back at Ethridge, hitting him once in the leg, but Ethridge managed to flee the scene, tossing his gun down a trash chute on the way. The gun was recovered by police, and DNA and fingerprint evidence from the firearm matching Ethridge was presented during the trial.
“These officers were doing their jobs and protecting the public when they spotted the defendant walking pass them and suddenly the defendant pointed a firearm in their direction and charged after the police, firing at them,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney John M. Ryan. “His actions resulted in an exchange of gunfire that could have led to a tragic outcome. The defendant now faces a long prison term for this senseless act of gun violence.”
