In the afternoon hours of February 9, 2023, a dispute in Albany, New York, tragically escalated, claiming the life of 39-year-old Anthony Dias of Watervliet. The fatal encounter unfolded around 3:15 p.m. near the intersection of Sherman and Quail streets, a time when the neighborhood is typically bustling with activity, including children leaving a nearby boxing gym's after-school program.
Dias was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, marking the city's first homicide of the year.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to 37-year-old Albany resident, Kerdel Young. Authorities determined that the shooting stemmed from what was described as a minor dispute between Young and Dias. Utilizing surveillance footage and other data, investigators were able to track Young's vehicle to Brooklyn within a day of the incident. A legally owned handgun, which was preliminarily matched to the weapon used in the shooting, was recovered from the vehicle. Young was subsequently arrested on February 14, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder.
In May 2024, a jury found Kerdel Young guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Anthony Dias. During the trial, the prosecution highlighted the brazen nature of the crime, which occurred in broad daylight and endangered the lives of numerous children in the vicinity. On August 12, 2024, Young was sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison. The victim's mother, Grettell Franklin, delivered a poignant victim-impact statement, expressing the profound loss felt by his family, particularly his four children, two of whom will grow up without ever knowing their father.
