NYC gangbanger sentenced for killing basketball star Aamir Griffin

A gang member from Queens who was responsible for the tragic death of 14-year-old high school basketball star Aamir Griffin in 2019 has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Sean Brown, 21, admitted guilt last month to charges of manslaughter, conspiracy, and weapons offenses related to the incident, which authorities believe was a case of mistaken identity.

Brown, identified as a member of the Money World street gang, reportedly opened fire on Aamir, mistaking him for a member of a rival gang, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

In a sentencing by Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder, Brown received 25 years for manslaughter, an additional five to 15 years for conspiracy, and five years for the gun charge. The conspiracy and gun charges will be served consecutively, with Brown facing five years of post-release supervision.

“Aamir Griffin’s killer has been held accountable, but the pain lingers for his family,” said Katz in a statement. “No child should fear for their safety in a park, and no parent should have to bury their child.

“Gang-related gun violence has inflicted too much harm in our communities,” she continued. “We will continue our efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets to prevent another family from experiencing such a tragedy.”

Aamir’s untimely death shook his community when it occurred on the evening of October 26, 2019.

That day, Aamir, a freshman at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School who was already attracting attention from college scouts, was playing basketball at the Baisley Park Houses when Brown, standing on a football field away, mistook him for a rival gang member.

Brown then fired three shots with his .380 caliber gun, with one bullet hitting Aamir in the chest, passing through both lungs, and resulting in his death.

“At the very least, when our children go to the park or playground, families should expect their safe return home,” said Katz in 2021, standing at the same court where the tragic incident occurred.

Police identified Brown as the suspect just four days after the shooting, but he fled to California, where he evaded arrest until being apprehended by LA County sheriff’s deputies in the summer of 2021 and transported back to New York.

Aamir’s mother, Shanequa Griffin, expressed relief upon learning that her son’s killer had been brought back to New York to face justice.

“He took so much from me,” she said. “He shattered my heart. I want him to know that he will face the consequences of his actions.”

Surveillance footage captured Brown fleeing the scene after the shooting, with video evidence showing him boasting about the incident, according to prosecutors.

Authorities noted that Brown was well-known to local law enforcement officers and was among 33 reputed gang members arrested in March 2023 as part of a massive indictment that included charges of murder, conspiracy, and other offenses, stemming from a violent feud among three rival gangs in southeast Queens: Money World, Local Trap Stars, and Never Forget Loyalty.

The gang conflict also resulted in the shooting death of 26-year-old Sean Vance on New Year’s Eve 2020, with the alleged perpetrator, Tymirth Bey-Foster, currently facing murder charges.

Bey-Foster, who is still in custody on murder charges, reportedly assaulted a Rikers Island guard recently, causing severe injuries including facial and sinus fractures and a cut under her eye.