Queens men found guilty in Valley Stream shooting that left 1 dead, 3 injured

Two Far Rockaway, Queens, men were convicted of fatally shooting one man and injuring three others, including a 12-year-old, outside a party in Valley Stream in 2023, authorities said.

After one day of deliberation, a jury convicted Isaiah Gonzalez and Kyle Matthews, both 23, of second-degree murder on Thursday for the death of Deandre Carter, 20, in the summer of 2023, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

Around 8:22 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2023, Gonzalez and Matthews walked toward multiple attendees outside a party on Ocean Avenue in Valley Stream, according to Donnelly. Members of the Crips street gang were reportedly at the party.

After approaching partygoers, the two men fired at least eight rounds from a pair of .38 caliber pistols, striking four people, according to a news release from Donnelly’s office.

One bullet struck Carter’s chest, “shattering his rib cage and piercing his heart and left lung,” according to the release. He died of his injuries.

A few weeks after the shooting, Nassau County police Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said Carter, of Brooklyn, had "no listed membership," but was perceived as a Crip for attending the party, Newsday reported at the time. Police alleged Gonzalez and Matthews were members of the Bloods street gang.

Three others standing outside the party, including a 12-year-old, were also shot and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, Donnelly’s office said.

An investigation into the incident uncovered surveillance footage of Gonzales and Matthews driving in a Mercedes-Benz near the party and exiting the vehicle to approach the venue, according to the district attorney.

Matthews was arrested on Sept. 6, 2023, in Far Rockaway, and Gonzalez was arrested two days later in Manhattan, according to the news release.

Discovered surveillance footage also showed Gonzales and Matthews in the Mercedes-Benz near the Springfield Gardens, Queens, residence of Kenny Greene around 20 minutes before the shooting, according to the release. Greene was arrested and charged with second-degree conspiracy on Sept. 15, 2023, in connection to the party shooting, Newsday reported at the time.

The trial regarding the shooting began on March 17, Donnelly said. After deliberating for a single day, a jury found Gonzales and Matthews guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon before Judge Helene Gugerty at Nassau County Court.

Greene was acquitted of the second-degree conspiracy charge, according to Donnelly. His defense attorney, Greg Madey, could not be immediately reached by telephone Thursday evening.

Jason Russo, Gonzales’ defense attorney, and George Michel, representing Matthews, said in separate telephone conversations Thursday evening they each plan to appeal their clients’ convictions.

“We appreciate the jury’s time and attention and we respect the verdict,” Michel said. “But we will be exploring options for appeal.”

Gonzales and Matthews are scheduled for sentencing on May 9 and “face a potential maximum of 65 years to life in prison,” Donnelly’s office said.

“This case is yet another tragic reminder of the kind of devastation gang violence wreaks in our community,” said Donnelly. “These defendants meticulously plotted to murder a member of a rival group in their community. As a result, a young life was taken in the name of gang warfare. We cannot and will not stand for this type of brutality on our streets, and my office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to prevent these senseless acts of violence.”