BROOKLYN — Two Brooklyn men were convicted in connection with the 2013 murder of a 16-month-old boy who was shot in his stroller, officials said Thursday.
Daquan Breland, of Brownsville, was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial. A second defendant, Daquan Wright of East New York, was convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Trial testimony said Wright, 21, handed a firearm to Breland, 25, on the night of Sept. 1, 2013, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Breland then fired several shots toward Anthony Hennis, who was pushing a stroller at the corner of Bristol Street and Livonia Avenue.
The bullets struck 16-month-old Antiq Hennis in the head, killing him.
Breland and Wright were apprehended five days later in Pennsylvania.
“The tragic death of this innocent baby is an example of the devastation gun violence can wreak on our communities,” Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said in a statement. “These defendants showed utter disregard for human life and we will be asking that each of them receives the maximum sentence.”
Breland faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison, while Wright faces up to 15 years in prison.
Mario D. Romano, Wright’s lawyer, said he was “definitely going to appeal.”
An attorney for Breland could not be immediately reached for comment.
Sentencing for the pair is set for Aug. 18, according to the DA’s office.
