By Nicole Falco
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, but none has been charged with the shootings of a 19-year-old from New Cassel and an 18-year-old Hollis resident. The first victim was taken to South Nassau Hospital after being shot in the arm, and the second was taken to Winthrop-University Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the buttocks, police said. Both are expected to recover.
According to Detective Lt. Robert Cuerbo of the Fifth Squad, police believe the shooter, who has not been apprehended, was driving a gray Bentley. "The operator of the Bentley was talking to a woman [outside Rockaway Cafe] when a pedestrian came up," Cuerbo said. "They had a dispute of some sort about the discussion with the woman. Shortly thereafter, firearms were brandished and shots rang out."
In all, about 20 gunshots were fired at approximately 4 a.m., Cuerbo said. The incident occurred just as Rockaway Cafe was closing. Police believe all of the parties involved had been at Rockaway Cafe prior to the shootings, Cuerbo said. "There were a lot of shots fired by several individuals," he said.
Following an investigation, police arrested the occupants of a Volkswagen Jetta that witnesses saw leaving the scene. A .45-caliber Thompson semi-automatic assault weapon was discovered in the trunk of the vehicle, Cuerbo said. Arrested were Joseph Simpson, 17, of 102-59 186 St. in Hollis, who is accused of firing a gun in the air during the incident. Simpson and another Hollis resident, Antoine Smith, 19, of 92-41 190 St., are each charged with second-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Ricardo Franco, 18, of 129-17 176 St. in Springfield Gardens, and Vanessa Quezada, 18, of 20 Wheelbarrow Lane in Wantagh, are each charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. And Shawn Smith, 19, of 79 Warwick Road in Elmont, is charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Cuerbo said that police are still determining what, if any, relationship the five arrestees have with the driver of the Bentley and the victims. The incident was not gang-related, Cuerbo said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to
contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
