Bushwick man sentenced to 25 years for 2019 Bed-Stuy Shooting

Darrien Weekes, a 26-year-old resident of Bushwick, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Malik Russell in Bedford-Stuyvesant back in 2019.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the sentencing, which comes as a closure for the victim’s family and a stern warning against gun violence.

Weekes had previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in April 2024, acknowledging his role in the tragic incident that unfolded on June 1, 2019, at approximately 3:41 a.m. on Chauncey Street.

In addition to his prison sentence, Weekes will face five years of post-release supervision, a measure intended to maintain oversight and prevent further criminal activity.

The court proceedings revealed harrowing details of the crime. Evidence presented indicated that Malik Russell, 29, was walking alone when he encountered Weekes and his co-defendant, Oliver Kinard, 27. After a brief exchange, during which Russell shook hands with the two men, Weekes unexpectedly drew a firearm and fired three shots, striking Russell in the upper chest. Eyewitness accounts and video surveillance footage captured the shocking moments that followed, as Weekes pursued Russell into the street, even taking his hat before leaving him wounded on the sidewalk near a pile of garbage bags.

Russell was rushed to Interfaith Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, marking a tragic end to a life taken too soon.

Oliver Kinard, the co-defendant, pleaded guilty to third-degree hindering prosecution in September 2023 and received a conditional discharge for his involvement in the incident. The varying degrees of accountability highlight the different roles played in this senseless act of violence.

District Attorney Gonzalez expressed his condolences to Russell’s family, stating, “Today’s sentence ensures that this defendant will spend many years behind bars for a senseless and deadly act of gun violence. My thoughts are with Malik Russell’s loved ones as they continue to grieve his loss.”

This case underscores the ongoing struggle against gun violence in New York City, as authorities continue to seek justice for victims and their families while promoting measures aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.