Two teens arrested in connection with Schenectady homicide
The two suspects in a Schenectady homicide that happened Tuesday evening were attempting to rob the victim, court documents said.
Jevoun G. Drake, 18, of Schenectady was charged with second-degree murder, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. Jose Y. Amey, 18, of Troy, was charged with robbery.
Usman Pirzada, 21, was shot in the area of Lincoln Avenue of Steuben Street on Tuesday. He died from his injuries the following day.
At least one of the suspects was arrested Wednesday during what police called a “high-risk” traffic stop near 6th Avenue and Ingalls Avenue in Troy, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.
Drake was arraigned in Schenectady County Court on Wednesday afternoon and sent to Schenectady County Jail. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday at 1:30 p.m.
Amey was arraigned and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.
Police credited the quick arrests to efforts of detectives in conjunction with New York State Police and the Troy Police Department and the cooperation of people in the community.
As NewsChannel 13 shot video of the scene, several people stopped to say that Pirzada was a beloved member of the Muslim and Afghan communities. A post on Facebook from Schenectady Police about Pirzada’s death has almost 400 shares, with people posting what a ‘motivated,’ ‘humble’ and ‘generous’ person he was.
Pirzada’s family declined to comment to NewsChannel 13, instead asking for privacy.