At the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Lameek Everette, aka La, a member of the Bloods Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gary R. Brown to 40 years’ imprisonment.
On November 27, 2017, Everette was convicted of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, robbery and attempted robbery.
Those charges stemmed from his participation in the September 2, 2016 murders of David Arzu and Janelle Curella, who were each shot by Everette during a robbery as the victims walked to the Long Island Rail Road train station in Bayshore, New York.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Robert Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department, announced the sentence.
“What started out as a robbery turned into a double murder with the defendant pulling the trigger over and over to kill his victims simply because they resisted a holdup. Gang members’ violent choices will not go unpunished in our district,” said Peace.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated, “Lameek Everette personally appraised the lives of two innocent victims to be less than the potential value of their belongings. His callous actions demonstrate the senseless gang violence that can target random civilians. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to eradicate all gang members threatening the welfare of our communities.”
“Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable dangerous individuals like Everette whose plan for robbery escalated to murder,” stated Acting SCPD Commissioner Waring. “I hope today’s sentence brings some sense of closure to the victims’ family and serves as a reminder we will pursue justice for all victims.”
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on September 2, 2016, David Arzu, Janelle Curella and two friends were walking towards the Bay Shore train station. Unbeknownst to them, Everette and a fellow Bloods member had devised a plan to rob them at gunpoint and were lying in wait for them.
When Everette and his coconspirator spied on Arzu, Curella and their friends, they approached the group, brandished firearms and demanded the victims’ money and valuables. Arzu resisted, and a struggle ensued. When Curella attempted to come to Arzu’s assistance, Everette shot and killed her.
Everette then shot Arzu multiple times, killing him. Everette later posted pictures of himself on Facebook, flashing hand signals that signified his affiliation with the Bloods and wearing a necklace he had stolen from Arzu when he murdered him.
