In the early hours of January 2, 2017, what began as a night out for two brothers in Queens, New York, ended in a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of 31-year-old Ricky Kalisaran, a Guyanese man who had just arrived in the country days earlier for his grandmother's funeral. The tragic event unfolded around 3:25 a.m. on 124th Street near Liberty Avenue in South Richmond Hill.
Ricky and his younger brother, Sunny Kalisaran, were walking back to their car after leaving a
lounge when they were accosted by armed robbers. The assailants' target was a gold chain worn by Sunny. When the brothers resisted, a struggle ensued. In the ensuing chaos, Ricky was shot in the chest and bicep, while Sunny was shot twice in the back. Both were rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where Ricky was pronounced dead, becoming New York City's first homicide victim of the year. Sunny, though seriously wounded, survived the attack.
The investigation into the murder quickly led police to two suspects. Shakim Allen, 29, was arrested on January 11, 2017. His accomplice, Dreshaun Smith, also 29, was apprehended in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, on January 20 of the same year. The case culminated in a lengthy 12-week trial that concluded in March 2023.
A jury found both Allen and Smith guilty of a slew of charges, including murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and robbery in the first degree. Smith faced an additional conviction for arson for attempting to burn the getaway car. For their roles in the violent death of Ricky Kalisaran, both men face the possibility of spending 50 years to life behind bars.
