On Saturday, September 17, 2022, authorities in Brooklyn were informed about a fatal shooting that occurred on 37th St. at around 2:45 A.M. The shooting was allegedly the result of an online deal gone terribly wrong. One 24-year-old male was struck with a bullet in the chest, while another 29-year-old male was shot in the leg.

Investigators quickly learned that the victims were attempting to engage in a deal with the suspects to either sell or rent a Toyota Rav 4. The victims reportedly arrived at the scene hoping to strike a deal with the suspects, but instead, the culprits opened fire. After, one of the suspects reportedly jumped into the Rav 4 and drove off with it, while his partner sped off in the vehicle they arrived in.

Since the two injured individuals were left without a vehicle and it was nearly 3 in the morning, they had little choice but to make the 10 block journey to the nearest hospital. After walking all the way to the Downstate Medical Center, the male victim that was shot in the chest passed away as a result of his injuries. The second victim with gunshot wounds to the leg is currently recovering.

Investigators are still attempting to determine who was involved in the shooting and no arrests have been made yet.

Violent Crimes and Self Defense: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever met a stranger from online, then you already know how intimidating the experience can be. Sadly for the victims, the experience didn’t go as planned.

Per the law in New York, citizens have a duty to retreat in places where the aggressor is lawfully permitted to be. That means when you meet a stranger in public, you don’t have the legal right to defend yourself to the same extent that you would be able to in your home. If an aggressor begins to act violently, then it’s the other person’s duty to retreat from the situation rather than defend themselves.

The bad news is that this clause could be contributing to the rise in violent crime here in New York. Currently, the New York State Senate is working to remove the duty to retreat clause (https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/george-m-borrello/senator-borrello-introduces-legislation-strengthen-right) to give citizens more leeway in situations where they’re being attacked.

Were You Accused of a Violent Crime in Brooklyn?

Were you recently accused of committing a violent crime? In situations like the one above, the aggressor’s intent won’t matter as much as the results of their actions. Now, an individual has lost their life as a result of the violent crime. There’s a huge chance that the suspect will face significant consequences if they’re convicted of murder.

The best way to avoid the harshest penalties available under New York law is to secure a quality criminal defense attorney to represent you in court. Here at Bukh Law, our defense attorneys have extensive experience helping New Yorkers achieve better legal outcomes after getting arrested for violent crimes like murder, homicide, and battery.

Request a consultation with our firm now to learn more about how to defend yourself moving forward.