Tyrell Thomas, 31, accused of fatally shooting Eric Thomas in Far Rockaway in 2020 (NYPD)
June 27, 2021 By Ryan Songalia
A Queens man wanted on murder charges was arraigned Tuesday after being extradited from Pennsylvania.
Tyrell Dennis, 31, of Far Rockaway was arraigned on a four-count indictment, including second degree murder, second degree criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing in the second degree. If convicted, Dennis faces 25 years to life in prison.
Dennis is accused of shooting Eric Thomas, a 35-year-old father of two, once in the chest at around 6:30 a.m. Aug. 1, 2020.
According to the charges, Thomas was talking to another person in the first floor hallway of his apartment building on Dix Avenue in Far Rockaway when Dennis approached him and shot him. Thomas was declared dead at a local hospital soon after.
Dennis, who lived less than a mile away from the crime scene, was identified as the suspect a day after the fatal shooting but police were unable to locate him.
Dennis was found by authorities in Pennsylvania after he assaulted a state trooper, reported the The Daily News. The trooper had pulled him over for driving under the influence.
“The accused allegedly fled the state in the hope of evading justice but has been brought back to Queens to face the consequences of this senseless gun violence,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement.
Dennis is due back in court on August 10.
Featured Events
