Man Wanted for Groping St. John's Student Killed During J'Ouvert: NYPD

Authorities are looking for a second suspect in the shooting death of a 22-year-old St. Johns University student during the J'Ouvert celebrations ahead of Monday's West Indian Day Parade.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce that 22-year-old Tiarah Poyau had complained about a man dancing on her from behind during the pre-dawn festival on Monday. But he said that Reginald Moise, who later shot and killed the woman, doesn't match the dancer's description.

"She described a heavy-set male who was bothering her," Boyce said. "Mr. Moise is razor-thin, so we don't believe... Mr. Moise was the one attempting to grind her from behind."

Moise was arrested on DWI charges several hours after Poyau was shot. Boyce said that Moise had asked a friend to store his gun at a woman's house after the shooting and fired two shots into her wall before breaking a window and cutting her hand.

Boyce said that the gun was recovered at the woman's home and matched to the crime scene. Police investigating the case talked with friends who said the man told them he might have shot someone during the festival. Then, the man confessed to the crime to police before asking for an attorney.

Poyau's death was just one of two during the festival. A 17-year-old boy, Tyreke Borel, was killed in a separate shooting about a block away. Five others were hurt in gunfire during the event, and two others were stabbed.

At least one Brooklyn lawmaker has called for an end to the festival where Andrew Cuomo aide Carey Gabay was killed in 2015. Mayor de Blasio said Tuesday that the celebration should continue in the future.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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