In the early hours of May 4, 2024, a visit to the United States from his home in Jamaica turned tragic for 25-year-old Kardell Lester. The young man, a resident of Kingston, was in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens, New York, when his life was cut short by a sudden act of violence. At approximately 1:40 a.m., near 199-23 Linden Boulevard, gunfire erupted in what authorities have described as a drive-by shooting.
Lester was standing in the hallway of a building when a bullet struck
him in the head. Emergency services rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he fought for his life for two days before succumbing to his injuries. His death has been officially ruled a homicide.
The New York Police Department has indicated that the shooting was not a random act of violence. Investigators believe the motive is rooted in a long-standing and violent feud between rival groups from the Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica. The NYPD's Chief of Detectives stated that the killing of Kardell Lester is considered a reprisal killing, connected to a homicide that occurred in Jamaica in 2023. This violent dispute, according to law enforcement, has spilled over from Jamaica into the streets of Queens.
As of late 2025, the investigation into Kardell Lester's murder remains ongoing. The NYPD's 113th Precinct is actively seeking information from the public that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the individuals responsible for the fatal shooting. To date, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the case.
