A night of celebration turned into a tragedy for 24-year-old Walikque Faussett, a female from the Bronx who was fatally shot in Manhattan. The young mother was out with friends, celebrating her birthday, in the early morning hours of October 12, 2015. The group was waiting for a taxi outside the Motivo nightclub in the Flatiron District at approximately 4 a.m. when gunfire erupted. Faussett was struck in the back and was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
Two other women were also injured in the shooting but were reported to be in stable condition.
The incident began after a man was ejected from the nightclub following a dispute. According to police reports, the man threatened to return with a gun. He made good on his promise, returning a short time later and opening fire. Investigators believe the shooter's intended targets were the club's bouncers who had removed him. However, the shots tragically struck Faussett and her two companions. The suspect, described at the time as a man in his 20s wearing a red and black hooded sweatshirt, fled the scene in a dark-colored sedan, possibly a BMW.
In the days following the shooting, police identified a suspect and made an arrest. Dalone Jamison, also known as James Dalone, a 26-year-old from the Bronx, was taken into custody in Brooklyn. It was reported that Jamison was an acquaintance of Faussett. In a surprising turn, hours after the fatal shooting, Jamison had posted a photo of himself with Faussett on social media. The victim's family expressed their anguish and disbelief over this act.
Jamison was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was identified by four witnesses in a police lineup. Prosecutors stated that after being kicked out of the club, Jamison allegedly said, 'I'm going to go to my car and get my gun,' and returned about 15 minutes later, saying, 'I'll kill you,' before firing multiple rounds. At his arraignment, he was ordered to be held without bail. The case highlighted the senselessness of gun violence and its devastating impact on a family and community.
