Long Island Teen, 16, Accused of Killing 2 in Crime Spree: Police

A 16-year-old Long Island teen is accused of a killing two people during a crime spree that included 15 armed robberies, authorities say.

On his way to court Friday, Malique Shelton shook his head no to refute the allegations. But investigators say the high school sophomore pulled the trigger in two murders.

One of the victims was 33-year-old handyman Gerber Hernandez, who was shot during a robbery last June as he walked home from work in Roosevelt, police said. The other was 37-year-old Royston Hall, who was killed during a drug buy gone bad last November, according to police.

Shelton's dad insisted his son did not kill anyone.

"I don't believe he did it," Shownne Hogan told NBC 4 New York outside his home in Roosevelt. "He told me he didn't do it. I'm sticking by my son 100 percent."

Police expect more arrests in the case.

The robberies have targeted five Chinese food deliverymen and 10 taxi drivers.

Cab dispatcher Brian Dominguez of NY Taxi says his drivers remain on edge.

"You don't know who you're gonna pick up," he said. "It could be an innocent kid but at the end he could be dangerous."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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