Deadly Valley Stream 'foam party' shooting: 2nd alleged gang member arrested, police say
Police escort Isaiah Gonzalez, 21, of Far Rockaway, to his arraignment Saturday in Mineola. He was charged with second-degree murder in the death of DeAndre Carter, 20.
Credit: Newsday
An alleged gang member was charged Saturday as the second shooter in the killing of a Brooklyn man at an “illegal party” last month in Valley Stream, Nassau police said.
Isaiah Gonzalez, 21, of Far Rockaway, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of DeAndre Carter, 20.
Police said Gonzalez, an alleged member of the Bloods street gang, was the second shooter at the “foam party” Aug. 21 where more than 50 people were in attendance at an event space on Ocean Avenue.
Police earlier in the week arrested Kyle Matthews, 21, of Far Rockaway, who also faces a second-degree murder charge.
Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said the two suspects fired a total of eight rounds from .380 caliber handguns, injuring four others, including a 12-year-old boy. The surviving victims are recovering, according to police.
Gonzalez was arrested Friday night with help from NYPD detectives, Fitzpatrick said during a media briefing at Nassau County police headquarters in Mineola.
“The motive for this was basically gang rivalry,” Fitzpatrick said. “They went there that night to kill somebody and shoot into the crowd.”
He said the party was hosted by associates of the rival Crips gang but noted that everyone in attendance was not a gang member. Police have said the victims are not linked to gangs.
Gonzalez pleaded not guilty at his morning arraignment at Nassau County District Court in Hempstead. He was remanded without bail on the murder charge by Judge Bill Hohauser.
“He denies any involvement in this matter and looks forward to fighting this case in court,” Gonzalez’s attorney, Jason Russo, said outside the courtroom.
He said Gonzalez also denies any gang affiliation. He couldn’t say whether Gonzalez admitted to being at the party on the night of the shooting.
“He was just very clear that he was not the individual involved in this incident,” Russo said.
Carter’s family members declined to comment outside the courtroom after debriefing with detectives and prosecutors.
Police also charged Gonzalez with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He had an outstanding Nassau County bench warrant for an arrest on May 3, 2021, for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.
Gonzalez is due back in court Wednesday. He faces 25 years to life on the top charge.
Matthews was arrested Thursday in Far Rockaway by the NYPD and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead, where Judge Michael Montesano held him without bail.
Stuart Austin, Matthews' Mineola-based defense attorney, said his client "denies the allegations," declining to comment further.
Fitzpatrick said Saturday that Gonzalez and Matthews are “very well known” by members of the NYPD who have had prior contact with them.
During the shooting, two 17-year-olds were struck in the leg and the 12-year-old was hit in the shoulder, Fitzpatrick said. The fourth victim, a “young lady,” hurt her hand, but it was unclear whether the injury was from a bullet, he added.
Camille Russell, a Westbury attorney for Deborah Young, who owns the Valley Stream venue, said her client had "no knowledge" of any gang affiliation at the party.
The party was illegally serving alcohol and possibly liquid marijuana, police have said.
Matthews is due back in court Monday.
With Robert Brodsky
Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
Diocese bankruptcy case ... Rangers Game 6 tonight ... Knicks Game 6 tomorrow ... Rising sea levels
Diocese bankruptcy case ... Rangers Game 6 tonight ... Knicks Game 6 tomorrow ... Rising sea levels
