Saturday, December 3, 2011

Suspect Charged With Murder In Queens Shooting Spree



A Queens man is facing murder charges after a shooting rampage that began in an apartment and ended on a crowded bus.

Damel Burton, 34, is charged with two counts of second degree murder, criminal weapons possession, and assault.

Police say Burton first shot his girlfriend's 18-year-old son, Keith Murrell, in an apartment in South Jamaica.

Murrell then jumped out a window, and published reports say he ran to a nearby restaurant for help.

He later died at Jamaica Hospital.

About 20 minutes later, police say Burton boarded a Q111 bus headed for Jamaica Station.

They say he shot Marvin Gilkes, 36, in the head and a 29-year-old man in the jaw.

Gilkes was found dead in the back step well of the bus.

"What I saw was a sea of people young and old running in one direction. Then I saw a number of people going away from the danger," said one witness.

"I was trying to get away from the area after the first shot. It was very traumatic to me. I've seen this happen many times, and I did not want to be that person to get a stray bullet," said another.

A gun was recovered from the scene.

The man who was shot in the jaw is recovering at Jamaica Hospital.

It's still not clear what led to the shootings.

If convicted, Burton could face 25 years to life in prison.


(By ny1)

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