In the summer of 2023, the life of 37-year-old Daquan Sullivan, a Black / African American man, was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence in Syracuse, New York. On the evening of July 8th, while on the 1300 block of South State Street, Sullivan was fatally shot. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. and administered life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of his death, Sullivan was a husband to Sade Sullivan and a father to four children: sons Daquan Jr. and Dakaire, and daughters Dazaire and Damiya. He was reportedly visiting family and friends in his old neighborhood when the incident occurred.
The investigation into Sullivan's murder led to the arrest of three teenagers on July 28, 2023. The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Myquise Williams and two 16-year-old males whose names were not released due to their age. All three were charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. The two younger suspects were held at the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center. The motive for the shooting was described as a random act of retaliatory anger. Prosecutors stated the teens were upset about the recent death of a friend and were driving around in a stolen car looking to vent their frustration when they targeted Sullivan, a man they did not know.
In September 2024, the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office announced further developments in the case, formally charging Myquise Williams, along with 20-year-old Nasir Alrobyai and 21-year-old Jeffrey Felton, in connection with Sullivan's death. The charges against them included second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of stolen property. All three men pleaded not guilty. During the legal proceedings, the court heard heart-wrenching impact statements from Sullivan's family. His wife, Sade, spoke of the immense void his death left, describing him as her 'forever person' and a devoted father. One of their young children expressed their grief, questioning why their father was taken from them. Subsequently, Nasir Alrobyai, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, was sentenced to 37 years to life in prison for his role in the murder.
