Elmont man charged in execution-style killing outside Queens nightclub

An Elmont man who fled Long Island to escape justice has been indicted for what prosecutors described as the execution-style killing of a Florida man three years ago outside a nightclub in Queens.

Jhavaughn Pinnock, 35, fled to Florida following the killing of Jevaughn Jeminson, 23, outside the Pure Lounge nightclub in St. Albans in April 2023, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. Following extradition to New York, Pinnock was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment, Katz said.

Court records show Pinnock entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered held without bail by Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris.

He is due back in court on Oct. 23 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Katz said Pinnock and co-defendant Christopher King had been in the lounge on Merrick Boulevard but were stopped as they attempted to reenter just before 2 a.m. on April 8, 2023. Authorities said King had a firearm, but was permitted to enter despite being frisked by security, who failed to detect the weapon. Pinnock was denied entry after the frisk found he also had a firearm, Katz said.

King later went outside to meet Pinnock and the two were able to reenter the lounge, returning to the VIP section before, authorities said, they sat at a table near the nightclub exit. Jeminson, of North Lauderdale, Florida, received a text while in the lounge and went outside, where he was approached by both Pinnock and King.

Pinnock and Jeminson exchanged words, Pinnock pulled a gun, pointed it at Jeminson’s face and fired. Jeminson attempted to flee but Pinnock and King chased him down and shot him multiple times at close range, prosecutors said, before leaving.

Jeminson was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

Arrested in Georgia on Aug. 16, 2023, King was extradited to New York and last December pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Authorities located Pinnock in Hollywood, Florida, on Aug. 20 and he was extradited to Queens.

An attorney for Pinnock could not be reached for comment Thursday.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.