On a spring afternoon in Utica, New York, the life of 26-year-old Lemeke Pittman was brought to a violent and tragic end. On May 7, 2021, Pittman was at a barbershop situated at the corner of Seymour Avenue and James Street when an individual entered the establishment and opened fire. Pittman was struck multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders and subsequent treatment at a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The
investigation into the shooting led authorities to identify three suspects. The first to be taken into custody was 21-year-old Jaleak Scarborough. Shortly after, 19-year-old Hakim Muhammad was apprehended in Georgia. The third and final suspect, 31-year-old Christian Rodriguez, was located and arrested at a residence in Queens, New York, following a forcible entry by law enforcement. An Oneida County Grand Jury indicted all three men in connection with Pittman's murder.
In April 2022, an Oneida County jury found Jaleak Scarborough and Hakim Muhammad guilty of second-degree murder for their roles in the death of Lemeke Pittman. Following their convictions, both men faced the possibility of a maximum sentence of life in prison. Scarborough was scheduled for sentencing on May 23, 2022, with Muhammad's sentencing planned for the following day. The successful prosecution was a result of the collaborative efforts of the Utica Police Department and the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, bringing a measure of justice for Pittman and his family.
