In the summer of 2017, a burst of gunfire on a Syracuse street shattered the life of a young man and set in motion a chain of events that would lead to a lengthy prison sentence for his killer. On the evening of June 27th, police responded to calls of shots fired on East Kennedy Street. There they found George Booker Jr., a 22-year-old male, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal.
Booker was a lifelong resident of Syracuse and his sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief and shock through his community.
The Syracuse Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the homicide. Detectives processed the scene for evidence and interviewed witnesses, piecing together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Their investigation quickly focused on a suspect, and just under a month later, on July 26th, an arrest was made. Cyrell Haygood, a 23-year-old from Syracuse, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with George Booker Jr.'s death.
The legal proceedings against Cyrell Haygood unfolded in the Onondaga County courts. After a trial, a jury found Haygood guilty of both the murder and weapons charges. He was subsequently sentenced for his role in the death of George Booker Jr. In January of 2019, a judgment was rendered, and Haygood later appealed the conviction. However, the appellate court affirmed the initial judgment, ensuring that he would be held accountable for the killing. The resolution of the court case brought a measure of justice to the family and friends of George Booker Jr., though the impact of his loss continues to be felt by those who knew him.
