A younger man charged within the capturing of a Instances Sq. meals vendor was “just scared” when he opened hearth, placing the peddler within the arm throughout a heated confrontation, his lawyer argued Thursday.
Emanuel Charles, 21, received into an argument Wednesday night time with a number of distributors on Seventh Ave. and W. forty seventh St., and opened hearth, hitting Ayaman Gzale, an Egyptian immigrant who had rushed to the scene to assist a pal and fellow service provider, prosecutors stated. Gzale was shot within the left wrist, and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in secure situation.
Choose Louis Nock set Charles’ bail at $175,000 money or $300,000 bond. His subsequent courtroom look shall 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 stated. “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 capturing in Instances 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 stated, 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 stated.
Greater than a dozen associates and kin 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.
