NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A Bronx teenager has been indicted on murder and other charges for allegedly fatally shooting a 22-year-old man in a Queens karaoke bar this past summer.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Richard Swygert, 19, was at a karaoke bar, located on 138th Street in Flushing, with Dominic Malivert, of St. Albans, on Aug. 13.
The two allegedly began arguing over a piece of jewelry that Malivert owned, and eventually, Swygert pulled out a gun inside the private karaoke room they were in, Katz said.
Swygert allegedly fired several rounds, striking Malivert multiple times.
According to the DA, Malivert was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
“This defendant must face the consequences for allegedly shooting another young man and ending his life. A second victim was shot but survived,” Katz said. “We must prevent these tragedies from ever occurring in the first place by taking guns off our streets and stopping the senseless violence that is plaguing our neighborhoods.”
A second victim was also struck by gunfire and was transported to a hospital in Queens with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Swygert, of Harrison Avenue in the Bronx, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on a six-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, assault in the first and second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and false personation.
If convicted, Swygert faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison. He is due back in court on Oct. 25.