By Jeff Lipton
A 19-year-old man charged in connection with a shooting outside an Inwood bar in July was being held last week on $175,000 bail, authorities said.
Police said they had been searching for Jerome Shaw, of Lawrence Avenue in Inwood, in connection with the shooting of Ronald Barker, 33, of Far Rockaway, outside Mr. B, a bar on Lawrence Avenue in Inwood, on Thursday, July 20. Police added that the shooting occurred at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue, after Mr. Barker left the bar.
Police Officer Christopher Randazzo of the Fourth Precinct was on routine patrol when he observed two cars speeding down Rockaway Turnpike, authorities said. The officer pulled over one of the cars, a Honda with Maryland license plates, in front of Wendy's in the parking lot of the Bay Harbour Mall on Rockaway Turnpike in North Lawrence, said Detective Sergeant John Azzata of the Fourth Squad.
"He recognized Mr. Shaw from the neighborhood," Sergeant Azzata said.
Mr. Shaw, the driver of the car, was inside with two other men, when he was stopped on Tuesday, August 29, at 12:17 A.M., police said. Officer Randazzo conducted a "summary arrest" against Mr. Shaw, which gives police a right to stop a suspect when there is enough probable cause, based on witnesses accounts of what happened during the shooting, Sergeant Azzata said. Officer Randazzo realized that Mr. Shaw was wanted for the assault with a gun that occurred on July 20, and he called for police back-up, authorities said. "He [Mr. Shaw] was actively being sought," the sergeant said.
"It was a dangerous arrest," said Captain Robert Brunelli of the Fourth Precinct. "It was good police work, but dangerous police work. The police officer did everything that he was supposed to. If he did not follow proper procedure, things could have turned out differently."
When the three men were told to get out of the car, police searched the vehicle and found a loaded 9-mm handgun in the backseat, police said. All three suspects were then placed under arrest, officials said.
The July 20 shooting took place at 2 A.M. when Mr. Barker exited Mr. B with two friends, a 35-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, officials said. Once outside the bar, they were confronted by a gunman who opened fire, striking the 33-year-old in the left arm, police said. The bullet tore completely through his arm and entered his left torso, Sergeant Azzata said. The victim's two friends escaped without injury, and the gunman ran away.
The victim's two friends ran to Mr. Barker's aid and rushed him to Jamaica Hospital in Queens, where he underwent emergency surgery for his wounds. He suffered serious injuries, but they were not considered life-threatening, police said.
Shortly after the shooting, following a police investigation, detectives said they were aware of the gunman's identity and expressed confidence that an arrest would be made. Detectives are still uncertain about a motive.
"I do not know the motive," Sergeant Azzata said. "Mr. Shaw did not say a word after he was arrested."
Mr. Shaw was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, possession of marijuana, assault in the first degree and criminal use of a firearm, according to a spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He was being held in lieu of $175,000 bail. A temporary order of protection has also been issued against him, barring him from any contact with the victim, the spokesperson said. Two other suspects inside the car with Mr. Shaw also were arrested. They were identified as Larry Lucas, 19, of Lawrence Avenue in Inwood, and Joseph Reyes, 20, of Rockaway Turnpike in Lawrence. Mr. Lucas and Mr. Reyes were both charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal possession of marijuana, police said. Mr. Lucas was being held on $15,000 bond or $7,500 cash bail and Mr. Reyes on $1,000 bail, the DA spokesperson said.
"Sometimes they [the courts] see it our way," said Captain Brunelli, referring to the $175,000 bail given to Mr. Shaw. "When a weapon is used, it's got to be serious business."
Sergeant Azzata praised the police work in the case. "Christopher Randazzo is an excellent police officer," said Sergeant Azzata. "He's a very active police officer and very thorough."
