Posted on: October 07, 2024 09:32 AM

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Reputed gang member charged with murder of teen outside fast food restaurant in Springfield Gardens

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Rayvon Phillip, 18, has been charged with murder for allegedly firing multiple gunshots at a car, killing 18-year-old Akim Cisse, outside a fast-food restaurant on September 27 along South Conduit Avenue in Springfield Gardens.

District Attorney Katz said, “My office is committed to the prosecution and conviction of those who seek to unleash terror on our streets. According to the charges, the defendant indiscriminately fired multiple times outside a fast-food restaurant in Springfield Gardens and killed an 18-year-old seated in a car. This was a completely senseless act of gun violence, and we will aggressively investigate and prosecute those that destabilize our communities.”

Phillip, of 167th Street in Jamaica, Queens, was arraigned yesterday before Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels on charges of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Judge Daniels remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court on October 8. If convicted of the top count, Phillip faces up to 25-years-to-life in prison.

According to the charges, on September 27, 2024, between 10:15 and 10:20 p.m., video surveillance footage shows Phillip outside a McDonald’s restaurant at 221-12 South Conduit Avenue in Springfield Gardens, Queens. A car is seen on video driving by the restaurant with four males inside, including 18-year-old passenger Akim Cisse. As the car drove past, Phillip allegedly pointed a firearm and shot at the vehicle approximately three times.

Cisse, who was seated in the passenger seat of the car, sustained a single gunshot to the back of the head. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he lost brain function and died hours later.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Kevin Pugliese of the NYPD’s 105th Precinct Detective Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Goldstein, Senior Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Andres Sanchez, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Sennett, Bureau Chief, Barry Frankenstein, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.

(From Queens DA's Press Release)