A younger man charged within the taking pictures of a Occasions Sq. meals vendor was “just scared” when he opened fireplace, putting the peddler within the arm throughout a heated confrontation, his lawyer argued Thursday.
Emanuel Charles, 21, acquired into an argument Wednesday night time with a number of distributors on Seventh Ave. and W. forty seventh St., and opened fireplace, hitting Ayaman Gzale, an Egyptian immigrant who had rushed to the scene to assist a pal and fellow service provider, prosecutors mentioned. Gzale was shot within the left wrist, and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in steady situation.
Choose Louis Nock set Charles’ bail at $175,000 money or $300,000 bond. His subsequent courtroom look might be Might 5.
“The defendant is observed walking away from the scene before turning back around, crossing in the middle of the street, and discharging a firearm multiple times,” Assistant District Legal professional Danielle Bluth mentioned. “Multiple people were on the street, and multiple people can be seen fleeing from the location after the defendant fires.”
After the seller was shot, Bluth added, “the defendant fled into the subway, where he attempted to avoid police on the subway tracks. He attempted to board a train and flee the location.”
NYPD officers are posted on the scene of a taking pictures in Occasions Sq. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Every day Information)
Charles’ lawyer, Omar Fortune, argued the cost in opposition to the younger man “doesn’t make sense.”
“My client is a high school graduate. How does someone working at Duane Reade and dog-walking become Bugsy Siegel overnight?” Fortune mentioned, including: “My client has no prior contact with the criminal justice system. All he has is contacts with the community.”
“He wasn’t evading prosecution. He was just scared,” Fortune mentioned.
Greater than a dozen buddies and family members shouted “we love you” and “keep your head high” as Charles was taken out of the courtroom, and courtroom officers rapidly cleared the crowded room.
