Queens Village man charged in stabbing attack on stranger at Jamaica Deli: DA – QNS

A grand jury in Queens has indicted a Southeast Queens man for stabbing a stranger to death at a Jamaica Deli last month.

Jahshua Kelley, 40, of 107th Avenue in Queens Village, was arraigned Wednesday in Queens Supreme Court on four counts, including second-degree murder, two counts of assault and illegal possession of a weapon. If convicted, Kelley faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

According to the indictment and video surveillance, Kelley passed 40-year-old Nurul Bhuiyan, a resident of Springfield Gardens, near 168-23 Jamaica Avenue at approximately 9:33 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. After passing him on the street, Bhuiyan, who did not know Kelley, briefly followed the defendant.

Kelley then turned and walked toward Bhuiyan, waving his arms at him. The two continued to talk before Bhuiyan backed away into the street and appeared to swing a silver object at Kelley, who followed him.

Bhuiyan then ran into the Sammy Gourmet Deli at 169-03 Jamaica Ave., pursued by Kelley. Inside the store, the two men went behind the counter, where Bhuiyan picked up a knife. Kelley claimed Bhuiyan took his wallet and threw a pineapple at him. He then grabbed a knife and approached Bhuiyan, who put down the knife he was holding and grabbed a baseball bat.

A struggle ensued and, according to charges, Kelley stabbed Bhuiyan several times in the neck, resulting in his death.

Kelley then washed his hands before leaving the store. Homicide detectives arrested Kelley at his 107th Avenue home on June 24, and he was arrested at the 103rd Precinct. The following day, Kelley punched an officer in the head and repeatedly headbutted and struck another officer.

“A seemingly minor disagreement led to a brutal and senseless stabbing at a Jamaica deli that left the victim dead,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “There is no place for this type of violence in our stores or on our streets. We will hold the defendant accountable for his alleged actions.”

Queens Supreme Court Judge Michael Aloise remanded Kelley in custody without bail and ordered him to appear in court on September 4.