A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for killing a 21-year-old during a 2016 gang-related shooting in Flatlands, officials announced Tuesday.
The defendant, 30-year-old Tarell Herbert, was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in November, following a jury trial.
On Sept. 2, 2016, the victim, 21-year-old Anthony Francis, was visiting his girlfriend in Flatlands at around 7 p.m. According to the investigation, the two were sitting in Francis’ BMW when Herbert and a co-defendant, Tristan Murray, drove up and shot at the car.
“Anthony Francis was a beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin who was just 21 years old when he was shot and killed in a senseless act of gang violence,” According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. “The lengthy sentences resulting from his murder underscore my commitment to protecting our communities from dangerous gang rivalries that harm too many young people.”
The defendants were allegedly tied to the Folk Nation gang in Flatbush and were looking for rival gang members to shoot at the time of the incident, according to the trial testimony, when they spotted Francis, who was an alleged member of a rival Woo gang.
The victim was struck in the chest and managed to push his girlfriend out of the car just before succumbing to his injuries. Police found multiple .40 caliber and .45 caliber shell castings at the scene, including inside the vehicle.
Herbert’s accomplice Murray was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison in June 2023 after being convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in May 2023.
