QUEENS — A 26-year old St. Albans man, who police sources said fatally shot a rival gang member while watching a baseball game in a busy Queens park in May, was arrested Wednesday, according to the NYPD.
Ajaya Neale, who sources said is a member of the Crips gang, was charged with murder, criminal possession of a loaded weapon and reckless endangerment, police said.
Neale allegedly shot Joel Rashko, 24, in the head and the shoulder, while watching a baseball game in Roy Wilkins Park on Saturday, May 10.
Rashko was visiting Queens from Newport News, Va., and was with his brother and a group of friends when the shooting occurred.
Police sources said authorities believed that both Rashko and his brother were Bloods gang members. They also said that the brother was wearing red clothing.
Neale, according to the criminal complaint, fired multiple shots, striking Rashko twice.
The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition and died on May 12, police said.
Authorities said it was not clear what prompted the shooting.
Neale was arrested after a witness recognized him in an NYPD photo, sources said.
Neale, police said, had one prior arrest for attempting to use the transit system without paying a fare in 2010.
The name of Neale's lawyer was not immediately available.
