On a summer afternoon in Albany, New York, tragedy struck the community. Dwayne 'Dway' Christopher Fenner, a 34-year-old Black male, was fatally shot outside a residence on Third Street on June 18, 2020. Originally from Englewood, New Jersey, Fenner had moved to Albany with his family at the age of 14 and was a graduate of Albany High School. He was known for a smile that could light up a room and a sense of humor that could bring laughter to anyone.
At the time of his death, he was employed by Home Depot and also worked as a caretaker.
The investigation into Fenner's death led to the identification and arrest of two men. Hassan Riddick, a 29-year-old from Colonie, was identified as the shooter. The motive for the killing was believed to be a fistfight that had occurred between Riddick and Fenner three years prior, an altercation that prosecutors argued had festered into a deadly resentment. The getaway driver was identified as 29-year-old Alfonso Fuller, also known as 'Roxx,' from Albany. Fuller was already facing charges for a separate incident in which he shot and killed a dog while firing at rivals.
Both men faced the legal consequences of their actions. Riddick was charged with second-degree murder and weapons charges. Following a trial, he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. During the sentencing, Fenner's mother, Olivia Fenner, delivered a powerful impact statement, expressing the profound loss her family endured and stating that Riddick had no right to take her son's life. Alfonso Fuller was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon for his role in Fenner's death. He ultimately pleaded guilty to weapons possession charges and received an 18-year prison sentence. Fuller's sentence also encompassed a guilty plea for the 2014 killing of Jessie Overton and the shooting death of the dog.
