On a late summer evening, the vibrant life of 28-year-old Janelle Curella was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. It was September 2, 2016, in Bay Shore, New York, as Curella and her friend, 29-year-old David Arzu, were walking near the Long Island Rail Road station. Their path was fatefully crossed by two members of the Bloods street gang, Lameek Everette and Taheem Smith, who had laid in wait with the intention of committing a robbery.
The encounter quickly escalated
when Everette and Smith, brandishing firearms, demanded valuables from Curella, Arzu, and their two companions. When Arzu resisted the robbery, a struggle broke out. In a heroic attempt to help her friend, Curella intervened, but the situation turned deadly. Everette opened fire, fatally shooting both Curella and Arzu. The assailants then fled the scene, leaving a devastating aftermath.
The investigation into the double homicide led authorities to Lameek Everette, also known as 'La,' and his accomplice, Taheem Smith. Both were subsequently arrested and faced a series of serious charges, including racketeering, murder, and robbery. The prosecution built a case that highlighted the brutal nature of the crime, asserting that the murders were committed to enhance the gang members' status within the Bloods.
In the end, justice was served, though it could never bring back the lives lost. Lameek Everette was convicted on November 27, 2017, for his role as the shooter and was ultimately sentenced to 40 years in prison. His co-conspirator, Taheem Smith, also faced the consequences of his actions and was sentenced to 27 years behind bars for his involvement in the tragic deaths of Janelle Curella and David Arzu.
