Family demands justice after Queens father killed by stray bullet

NYC teen arrested for shooting that killed bystander as victim’s family rails against violence.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting that killed a bystander in Queens, police said Wednesday.

The victim, William Alcindor, 66, was driving his Nissan SUV on Baisley Boulevard in St. Albans on Monday when he was struck by a bullet. He lost control of the vehicle, which then hit a 23-year-old woman pedestrian.

Alcindor was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The pedestrian was taken to the same hospital in stable condition.

The teenage suspect was apprehended shortly after midnight on Wednesday in Queens, according to police. Authorities believe Alcindor was not the intended target of the shooting.

Family members described Alcindor as a Haitian immigrant who came to the United States in 1983. He was a father of three and grandfather of three, with a large extended family.

"An entire part of my identity is gone because of the way I looked up to my dad, the way he pushed me," said Gabriella Alcindor, 25, the victim's daughter. She told reporters her father had always encouraged her to pursue higher education and a successful career.

Gregory Opont, Alcindor's nephew, described his uncle as a hardworking man dedicated to his family and community.

"We come from not having much, but he was always a giver," Opont said. "He always gave us pretty much everything he had."

Family members expressed their grief and called for justice, with Gabriella Alcindor stating that those responsible "must reap the full amount of consequences there is for them to receive."

Opont emphasized the need for stricter gun control measures in the city. "We have to really prosecute because there's no space for guns in this city," he said. "There's no space for people shooting in this city."

The incident has reignited concerns about gun violence in New York City. St. Albans, where the shooting occurred, is a residential neighborhood in southeastern Queens.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not released information about a possible motive for the shooting. The name of the arrested teenager has not been disclosed due to his age.

The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and communities in addressing youth violence and gun crimes in urban areas.