Astoria Teen Charged In NYCHA Worker's Stray-Bullet Death

ASTORIA, QUEENS — An Astoria teenager has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a NYCHA worker as he was tending the grounds of Astoria Houses this past spring, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Astoria resident Jerald Bethea is accused of firing the shot that killed 25-year-old groundskeeper Darrian Ramdial, who was on the job the afternoon of April 9 when he was struck in the torso by a bullet meant for someone else, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.

Ramdial died six days later.

"This is what senseless gun violence does — it kills innocent people, devastates loved ones and traumatizes communities," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.

Bethea, 19, eluded authorities for months, prosecutors said.

He was arrested Tuesday by the NYPD's Felony Warrant Squad and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to serve up to 25 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.