An East Flatbush man who killed his girlfriend, then opened fire on her young family inside their Brooklyn home, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, prosecutors said. The shooting erupted just before 3 a.m. on May 7, 2023, inside a residence on East 96th Street. There, 49-year-old Jacqueline Wilson was shot multiple times and later died at the hospital. As the gunfire continued, her daughter's household, which included a six-week-old baby, barricaded themselves inside a bedroom while bullets tore through the door, according to prosecutors. The defendant, 51-year-old Peter Hibbert, was convicted of murder and criminal possession of a weapon on March 18, 2026.
DA: 'senseless act of violence'
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the killing "a senseless act of violence" and said he hopes the sentence brings "some measure of solace" to Wilson's loved ones, in a statement to News12 New York. The DA's office noted that the sentence followed Hibbert's March conviction and said prosecutors described the family as "terrified" as they sought shelter from the gunfire.
How the attack unfolded
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police responding to a 911 call found Wilson suffering from gunshot wounds to her head, torso and leg. EMS took her to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, according to Gothamist. Local coverage identified Hibbert as Wilson's boyfriend and reported that he faced charges including murder and criminal possession of a weapon, CBS New York noted. Authorities later said officers found Hibbert asleep in the basement of the house a short time after the shooting.
Court outcome and charges
Prosecutors said Hibbert was convicted on March 18, 2026, of murder and criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, according to News12 New York. Court records and filings state that Hibbert shot Wilson multiple times, then pointed the gun at Wilson's daughter, her husband and their newborn as they ran for cover and barricaded themselves in a bedroom. The young family escaped physical injury, and Hibbert was arrested at the scene after officers located him in the basement, officials told reporters.
