On the early morning of May 4, 2024, a celebration of new life at a baby shower in Richmond Hill, Queens, turned into a scene of violence that claimed the life of 24-year-old Jefari Dobie. The event, held at the Volume 17 event venue on Atlantic Avenue, was attended by over 40 people, including four young children. The festive atmosphere was shattered at approximately 1:30 a.m. when gunfire erupted.
The violence reportedly began when two individuals opened fire on a group of about a dozen people standing outside the venue. The panicked partygoers scrambled back inside, seeking cover. The situation escalated as several individuals inside the venue, identified as Jermaine Orr, Jameer Bennett, Michael Hammond, and Javed Duncan, allegedly began shooting out of the venue's windows toward the initial assailants. In the chaotic exchange of gunfire, Dobie was struck in the chest. Emergency services rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Three other men were also wounded in the shooting but were reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation into the deadly shooting, which authorities believe to be gang-related, led to the indictment of seven men in January 2025. Among those charged are Michael Hammond, 20; Jermaine Orr, 23; Javed Duncan, 23; and Jameer Bennett, 20. They face a 55-count indictment that includes charges of criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Also charged in connection with the incident are 50-year-old Lagarthucin LeGrand and his 26-year-old son, Lagarthucin LeGrand Jr. The elder LeGrand, the expectant grandfather, is accused of attempting to conceal a firearm by placing it in a tray of rice after the shooting. His son allegedly assisted in the effort to hide the weapon. A seventh defendant was also indicted but had not been apprehended at the time the charges were announced. Investigators recovered 35 shell casings from the scene, illustrating the intensity of the violence that unfolded. Initially, the surviving victims were reportedly uncooperative with police, complicating the early stages of the investigation. The case is now proceeding through the legal system, with court dates set for the arraigned suspects.
