DA: 20 People Witnessed 1999 Shooting at Hicksville Wedding

A Guyanese man who fled the country 16 years ago after a fatal shooting at a wedding was arraigned Monday, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Balkumar Singh, believed to be 37 years old, was caught in Trinidad on March 27 and was extradited to the United States last week, police said.

Singh was arraigned on two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence, the DA said.

If convicted, Singh could face life in prison without possibility of parole, officials said.

The shooting took place at a June 13 wedding outside the Masonic Temple, located at 18 W. Nicholai Street, police said. Singh allegedly shot Abzal Khan, 19, of Queens, several times with an automatic handgun after the pair had argued, cops said.

“I’m sorry for the pain I caused the family,” Singh said Monday, according to Newsday.

“My heart feels so pleased that they have caught this culprit and [will] bring him to justice,” said Abzal Khan’s father, Inshanallie Khan, 62, according to the report. “The judge will deal with him and send him down for a lifetime in the prison for the act he has committed to my son. He was . . . running for 16 years from country to country. . . . Thank the Lord they caught him.”

After Singh’s arraignment, authorities released more details about the shooting and Singh’s time in hiding.

At least 20 people witnessed the incident, during which another 22-year-old man was shot in the foot, the DA said.

Singh fled and, using multiple aliases, is believed to have spent time in Canada and Guyana before arriving in Trinidad, officials said.

Ten years after the shooting, Singh was featured on America’s Most Wanted, the DA said.

“This defendant stayed one step ahead of the law for 16 years, but that time has ended and the process of getting justice for the Khan family begins now,” Acting DA Madeline Singas said in a statement Monday. “Singh is accused of committing a cold-blooded murder during a wedding and we will hold him accountable for his actions. I commend Trinidadian authorities, the U.S. Marshals and our partners in the Nassau County Police Department for helping arrest this fugitive.”

Singh is due back in court on Wednesday.

Images via NCDA/NCPD