Apr. 21, 2023 By Bill Parry
A Jamaica man was found guilty of being a felon while possessing ammunition in connection with a 2020 fatal shooting at a bodega in Corona. Kevin “Cuzzo” Edwards, 42, was convicted Friday following a five-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Edward R. Korman.
As proven at trial, on Feb. 8, 2020, shortly after 12 p.m., the defendant drove to Northern Boulevard and 101st Street near a bodega where the victim, Dontae Hambrick, was standing with other men. As captured on a nearby surveillance camera, after double parking his vehicle, the defendant walked over to the group of men and shook hands with three of the men before pulling out a handgun. He then fired at least six rounds of .40 caliber ammunition at Hambrick, hitting him in the torso and legs.
Edwards got back into the SUV and fled. Hambrick was transported to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead. NYPD officers canvassed the area and recovered video from a security camera near the crime scene and six .40 caliber shell casings.
At the time of the shooting, Edwards had three prior felony drug convictions. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace thanked the FBI’s New York Field Office and the NYPD for their “outstanding investigative work” on the case.
“Today, the jury has served justice on the defendant for his violent crime and disregard for the law, which tragically cost a young man his life,” Peace said. “I commend the prosecutors and the investigators for their dedication to reducing gun violence in our district and holding repeat offenders accountable for their actions.”
When sentenced, Edwards faces up to 10 years in prison.