On the evening of September 2, 2016, 29-year-old David Arzu was walking with three other people in Bay Shore, New York, on their way to the local Long Island Rail Road station. The group, which included 28-year-old Janelle Curella, was ambushed by two armed men who demanded their money and valuables. This sudden act of violence marked the final moments of David Arzu's life.
When Arzu resisted the robbery, a struggle broke out. As the confrontation escalated, Janelle Curella attempted to come to his aid. It was then that one of the assailants opened fire, fatally shooting both Curella and Arzu. The other two individuals with them managed to escape unharmed. Following the shooting, the perpetrators fled the scene, leaving a tragic aftermath that would soon launch a major criminal investigation.
The investigation into the double homicide led authorities to two members of the Bloods street gang: Lameek Everette and Taheem Smith.
It was determined that the motive for the deadly robbery was to elevate their status within the gang. In September 2019, Taheem Smith was arrested and faced an 11-count indictment that included charges of murder in aid of racketeering.
Both men were subsequently convicted for their roles in the deaths of David Arzu and Janelle Curella. Lameek Everette, the gunman who shot both victims, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. His co-conspirator, Taheem Smith, received a sentence of 27 years of incarceration for his involvement in the fatal robbery. Following the murders, Everette brazenly posted photos of himself on Facebook, displaying gang signs and wearing a necklace he had stolen from Arzu.
