Rockaway man arrested for death of 10-year-old Justin Wallace

An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of 10-year-old Justin Wallace.  Photo via Donovan Richards/Twitter

By Rachel Vick

A Rockaway man has been arrested for the fatal shooting of 10-year-old Justin Wallace, the NYPD announced on what would have been his 11th birthday.

Jovan Young, 29, was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the June 5 incident.

“When someone does something wrong, at least we need to know and feel that there will be real consequences. And in very, very short order, the NYPD found the person who pulled the trigger,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday. “So the message is clear. If you use a gun in New York City, you will be arrested. If you harm someone, if you kill someone, there will be consequences.”

Wallace was transported to Saint John's Episcopal Hospital with a gunshot wound, where he was pronounced dead.

A 29-year-old relative of Wallace was shot in the shoulder and brought to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition.

“He should still be here with his family, celebrating all his accomplishments, the incredible young man he had become and the bright future ahead,” said Borough President Donovan Richards, who previously served as the neighborhood’s City Councilmember.

“As we continue to mourn Justin, we must continue to end gun violence in Queens,” he added. “We need to continue to invest in our communities and ensure our families can live safely. We owe it to Justin and everyone we senselessly lost to gun violence.”