Long Island City Resident Who Gunned Down Man at Ravenswood Houses in 2018 Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

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Nov. 8, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

A Long Island City resident who fatally shot a 29-year-old man in the courtyard of the Ravenswood Houses NYCHA complex in Astoria more than three years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the Queens District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Shahid Burton, 21, allegedly fired multiple shots into 29-year-old Jelan Moreira from behind as the victim walked through a courtyard during the early hours of Aug. 26, 2018.

Burton, who is from the Queensbridge Houses on Vernon Boulevard, is expected to be sentenced to 17 years in prison followed by five years post-release supervision when he returns to court. He was 17-years-old at the time of the killing.

“This was yet again a senseless shooting in a housing complex where children, adults and senior citizens reside,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “This defendant has now admitted to this horrible crime and will be held accountable by the court.”

Video surveillance of the killing shows Burton – and an unapprehended man – approach Moreira from behind at around 5:30 a.m. as he walked through the Ravenswood Houses complex, located on 21st Street between 35th and 36th Avenues.

Burton then blasted Moreira multiple times in the torso and chest, according to the charges. Moreira, who also lived in Queensbridge Houses, died as a result of his injuries.

No motive for the attack has been given.

Burton was nabbed by police in March 2019 after he was caught by a transit cop turnstile jumping at a Jamaica subway station. The officer discovered Burton was wanted in connection with the 2018 killing, according to the charges.

Burton is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 13, 2022.