Far Rockaway Man Sentenced for Fatal 2009 Shooting

A Far Rockaway man who in 2009 fired 29 shots into a crowd of people, killing one man and wounding another, was sentenced on Wednesday to 50 years to life in prison, according to the Queens district attorney.

Paul Williams was convicted of multiple charges in March for the fatal September 2009 shooting on Augustina Avenue in Far Rockaway that also resulted in the amputation of a Cedarhurst man’s leg.

“Taking into consideration the defendant’s wanton disregard for human life, the lengthy prison sentence imposed today by the court is more than justified in order to punish him for his actions and to protect society,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “The sentence also sends a clear and unequivocal message that random gun violence is not tolerated in Queens County.”

According to the district attorney, on Sept. 14, 2009, Williams, armed with an assault rifle, fired 29 rounds into a crowd of people on Augustina Avenue. Ronald Washington, 28, also of Far Rockaway, was fatally struck four times in the upper torso. Todd Jamison, 45, of Cedarhurst, was shot in the leg, resulting in the amputation of his leg above the knee.

Williams fled the scene, but was identified and arrested five months later in North Carolina after an arrest for an unrelated incident.