Brooklyn, New York – A 24-year-old man who was shot three years ago while sitting in a car in Brooklyn has tragically passed away. Romel Jules, who was 21 at the time of the incident, was shot in the upper back in an ambush near his Crown Heights home. Despite being rushed to Kings County Hospital in critical condition, Jules succumbed to his injuries on April 9. The shooting, which took place in the early hours of April 25, 2021, has now led to potential murder charges for the accused gunman.
The shooter, identified as Maurice Williams, approached the car and fired seven rounds at Jules while he was seated in a Volkswagen Jetta parked on Nostrand Ave. and Montgomery St. in Brooklyn. Williams, 22 at the time of the shooting, was arrested three months later and charged with attempted murder and criminal use of a firearm. With a history of eight prior arrests dating back to 2017, Williams has been held without bail on Rikers Island since his apprehension.
Following Jules’ passing, his death has been classified as a homicide by the authorities. Described as a charismatic individual who enjoyed bringing laughter to those around him, Jules’ family and friends have been devastated by his untimely demise. A GoFundMe page set up in the wake of the shooting depicted Jules smiling in his hospital bed, paralyzed from the shoulders down and in need of stem cell surgery due to being “mistakenly shot.”
As the case progresses through the criminal justice system, Williams has already pleaded guilty to attempted murder and criminal use of a firearm. Scheduled for sentencing on May 1 in Brooklyn Criminal Court, Williams awaits the legal consequences of his actions. The loss of Romel Jules serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of gun violence on individuals and communities, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such tragic incidents.