May 15, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week my office announced that a Maspeth resident has been indicted on upgraded charges of murder in the first degree and other crimes for setting a fire in March that killed four people, including a three-year-old girl.

This senseless blaze also injured five others inside the structure and two firefighters who rushed into the Flushing residential building to save lives.

The upgraded charge of first-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the investigation, on March 16, the 38-year-old defendant entered a building on Avery Avenue and allegedly lit a piece of paper on fire and placed it on top of the garbage at the bottom of a staircase. Three victims succumbed to smoke inhalation, while a fourth died after sustaining injuries after he jumped from a window to escape the flames. 

My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz

Queens District Attorney

Cases of Interest

• A Jamaica man has been charged with murder and other crimes for allegedly shooting and killing his half-brother inside a crowded Hollis sports bar in February.
• The defendant who beat a pawn shop owner to death and robbed the Jamaica Avenue establishment has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. A jury convicted the 52-year-old Hollis man of murder in the second degree, robbery in the first degree and criminal possession of weapon in the fourth degree.
• A Jamaica man, who shot and killed his accomplice when aiming at their intended targets, has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, assault and weapons charges.
• The Chicago woman arrested for setting fires to several storefronts in Maspeth has been indicted for arson in the first degree, reckless endangerment and other crimes. The fire allegedly destroyed a Chinese restaurant and injured two people in apartments above the business. 

Information Wanted

If you have any information about the shooting death of Leslie Balogh, who was killed near 137th Street and 32nd Avenue in Flushing 13 years ago, please contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.

Law Day Gathering

To celebrate Law Day, Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Naiburg and the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Policy Kristen Kane attended an event with other members of the Queens legal community at the King Manor Museum, the historic home of founding father Rufus King. Attendees learned about King's legacy and took part in a mock "signing of the Constitution."

Community Board 4 Gathering

As the top law enforcement officer in Queens, I have made it my business to maintain the safety of our streets and neighborhoods while also providing services and opportunities for our young people.

During a recent visit to Community Board 4, I spoke to residents about our Youth Empowerment Unit and the ways my office is helping young people succeed.

I also updated community members about the success of our trespass affidavit program, which helps store owners by reducing retail theft.

More Scooters Seized

We are working hard to remove illegal and unregistered scooters from our neighborhood streets. Members of the DA’s office, in conjunction with the NYPD 103rd Precinct and Patrol Borough Queens South in Jamaica, recently confiscated 28 scooters.

During the operation one person was arrested for driving with a suspended license, 11 moving summonses were issued and 27 parking tickets were written. Since the start of this initiative, we have seized more than 1,428 scooters.

QDA Mobile Office is Coming to Broad Channel and South Ozone Park

Meeting Queens residents where they live and gather, the DA’s Mobile Office provides a perfect opportunity to get the answers you need.

Members of the DA's office meet with the public at area libraries, answer questions and provide information on available resources. The next stops for the Mobile Office are the Broad Channel Library on May 21 and the South Ozone Park branch on May 28.

No-Questions-Asked Gun BuyBack Event

Gun buybacks are an incredibly effective way to get firearms off our streets.

Our next gun buyback event will take place tomorrow at Southern Baptist Church. Surrender an operable firearm, receive a bank card with a cash value. No questions asked.

Memorial Day Remembrance

Please join us for our annual Memorial Day Commemoration to pay tribute to the heroic men and women who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.

The ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 21, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park at 11 a.m.