A man who allegedly witnessed the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Gywan Levine Jr., in the 2013 Jersey City shooting, testified that the boy was intentionally shot and not a victim of cross fire.
According to Curtis Small, on May 17, 2013 he was sitting on a front porch on Rutgers between Stevens Avenue and Wade Street when the gunman, later identified as 36-year-old Farrarhd H. Gunter, of Newark, walked passed him and approached the boy's father, Gywan Levine Sr. armed. Gunter then pulled out the gun and aimed at Levine Sr. but the gun allegedly didn't go off. Levine Sr. ran but the gunman then turned to Levine Jr., who was nearby playing basketball. The boy was shot in the chest through his upper left arm. Gunter then fired again, this time injuring Levine Sr. in the leg.
However, yesterday Levine Sr. - a members of Crips street gang - testified that two men walked up to him and announced a robbery as one of the men pulled a gun out of his pocket. Levine Sr. said he ran but was ultimately shot in the leg. Adding that at that point, he heard his son crying out for him.
According to the report, both transported to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, where the Levine Jr. was pronounced dead.
Defense attorney Keith Hirschorn pointed out several inconsistencies in Small's recall of events. Hirshorn also mentioned that Small - who has a history of drug related charges - is currently on probation.
Due to the safety measures, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office prohibited that Small be photographed in court today.