David Cruz, a Brooklyn man, has been given a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for a fatal shooting in East New York that took a man's life. The sentencing, which took place yesterday, was announced by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez who led the case against Cruz. “Today’s sentence brings the defendant to justice for a reprehensible act of violence. It should also send a strong message that shooting guns in our streets cannot and will not be tolerated, and that my office is committed to holding to account anyone who commits crimes that ruin lives and jeopardize public safety in Brooklyn,” Gonzalez said, according to a statement on the District Attorney's official website.
Cruz, 33, hails from Bushwick and was found guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 7, following a jury trial. On the fateful evening of May 25, 2015, William Perez, 34, was shot at point-blank range while heading to a Memorial Day barbecue with friends. The incident occurred near the intersection of New Lots and Shepherd Avenues, as reported on the District Attorney's website.
According to evidence brought forward during the trial, the confrontation took place at around 8:55 p.m. Perez's 22-year-old friend was first shot at multiple times, causing the group to flee. Perez, in a fatal turn of events, was shot in the back with a 40-caliber pistol as he turned back towards the corner where the initial shooting occurred. Cruz subsequently disposed of the firearm in the front yard of a nearby daycare before fleeing the scene. Despite being taken to Brookdale Hospital, Perez was pronounced dead, his life cut tragically short by the day's violence.
After a complex investigation, Cruz was arrested on November 5, 2018. His first trial ended in a mistrial, but the subsequent proceedings led to the recent conviction. The case against Cruz was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Cassandra Pond, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, overseen by Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.
