File Photo
Katz called the shooting “yet another example of the brazen lawlessness inherent in illegal gun use.”
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Saturday that a Jamaica man has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly fatally shooting his accomplice in a botched attempt to gun down a rival.
Richard Dixon, 32, was arraigned Friday on an eight-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second and fourth degrees. At the request of the district attorney’s office, Justice Kenneth Holder remanded Dixon and set his return court date for March 1.
According to the charges, at approximately 5 a.m. on June 19, 2022, Dixon and his associate, Raymond Francis, approached Kenardo Kelly and Dwayne Whyte as they sat in their vehicles on Cross Bay Boulevard near Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park. Security camera video footage shows Dixon wearing a mask covering his lower face and carrying an assault rifle-type weapon, and his associate, Francis, carrying a handgun.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The shooting took place in June 19, 2022, on Cross Bay Boulevard near Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park.
The two men approached Kelly’s vehicle from different angles and Dixon fired several shots at Kelly, striking him and his car. At that time, Whyte fired several shots from his vehicle at Dixon, who pivoted and returned fire. At least one of Dixon’s shots hit Francis, his accomplice.
Emergency responders found the 38-year-old Francis collapsed in the parking lot, laying on top of his pistol. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Kelly, 33, was taken to a different local hospital for treatment of gunshots to his face and upper back and a broken jaw. The 29-year-old Whyte was taken to a third hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds to his leg.
Dixon later sought treatment at a Nassau County hospital for multiple gunshots, including to the leg, groin, buttocks and knee. The nature of his wounds helped identify him as a suspect in the Ozone Park shooting. Security camera video footage shows Dixon drove his wife’s vehicle from their residence on the day of the incident. The vehicle was spotted driving away from the scene of the shooting.
“As alleged, this is yet another example of the brazen lawlessness inherent in illegal gun use. We need to do everything we can, on the streets and in the courts, to eradicate the plague of gun violence from society,” Katz said.
If convicted, Dixon faces up 25 years to life in prison.
