Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that Daquan Gray, aka “Day Day”, age 22, of Monticello, N.Y. was convicted after a week-long jury trial in Sullivan County Court of Gang Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, 2 counts of Criminal Use of Firearm in the First Degree and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, all violent felonies.

Farrell said that evidence established that Gray, a Bloods street gang member, shot a 27 year old man in the neck with a 32 caliber handgun on the morning of August 21, 2011, in the courtyard at Evergreen Housing Complex in the Village of Monticello. The victim was paralyzed and is now a paraplegic, after the bullet lodged near his spine.

The shooting stemmed from a disagreement between a ranking Bloods member and the victim over a girl. That ranking Bloods member, Jason Elder, aka “TI”, was later apprehended by the FBI for drug conspiracy charges and is pending prosecution by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Three other men, Isaiah Blanch, aka “Tall Blood”, age 25, Felix Rodriguez, aka “June June”, age 20, both members of the Bloods street gang, and Messiah Lockhart, aka “Siah”, age 32, a Bloods associate, were also convicted of Gang Assault in the Second Degree, by pleas of guilty on March 7, 2012, for their role in surrounding the victim and preventing his escape so Gray could shoot him.

All three, including the two Bloods, admitted that they knew Gray had a gun and the plan was to shoot and harm the victim. All three face 5 years in prison and 5 years of post-release supervision when they are sentenced on May 30, 2012. As the triggerman, Gray faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on June 22, 2012.

After the jury returned its verdict, County Judge Mike McGuire issued an order of protection prohibiting Gray or any third party on his behalf from having any contact with the prosecution’s civilian witnesses. Gray was arrested after an investigation by the Monticello Police led by Detective Sergeant Gerard Dietz.

Farrell praised the work of the Monticello Detectives who put this case together and Meagan Galligan who was the trial prosecutor. “It is high time for the violence that plagues our county seat to end. The law abiding citizens of Evergreen have every right to live in peace and not have to worry about the safety of their families because of violence and gang shootings.

This verdict, and the sentencing that will follow, will send a clear message that this violent behavior will not be tolerated and that those who engage in it will be held accountable. The Monticello Police, Det. Dietz, ADA Galligan and my office worked tirelessly to obtain justice for the victim and Daquan Gray and this jury’s verdict ensures it.” Farrell said.

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ray will be sentenced as a second violent felony offender having two prior felony convictions. In 2008, Gray was convicted of the violent felony of Assault in the 2nd Degree for shooting another man with a handgun and injuring. He received a state prison sentence in that case. In 2006, Gray was convicted of Robbery in the 3rd Degree and also received a state prison sentence after violating probation. Gray was on parole at the time of this shooting and faces consecutive time for his parole violation, as well.