2 men face steep prison terms for fatal shooting at Valley Stream party in 2023

Two men from Far Rockaway, Queens, who opened fire at a summer party in Valley Stream, killing a Brooklyn man and wounding three others, were each sentenced to up to 40 years to life in prison, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Monday. 

Isaiah Gonzalez and Kyle Matthews, both 23, were convicted by a jury in April for the fatal shooting of Deandre Carter, 20, on Aug. 21, 2023, outside a venue on Ocean Avenue in Valley Stream.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Helene Gugerty handed down the sentences Monday in Nassau County Court.

"The calculated murder that ended Deandre Carter’s life took a beloved son, nephew, and friend from his family, and shattered the Valley Stream community," Donnelly said in a statement. "Deandre had dreams of pursuing a career in criminal justice and becoming a police officer. Dreams that were stolen from him that August night."

Donnelly described the events that unfolded on the night of the shooting: About 8:22 p.m., Gonzalez and Matthews approached partygoers outside the venue, where members of the Crips street gang were reportedly gathered.

Each brandishing a .380 caliber pistol, Gonzalez and Matthews fired at least eight rounds at attendees. One round struck Carter in his chest. The bullet broke his rib cage and struck his heart and left lung, according to the district attorney. He died due to his injuries.

Three other partygoers, including one who was 12, were also shot but susta ined injuries not considered life-threatening. 

Matthews was arrested on Sept. 6, 2023, in Far Rockaway, and Gonzalez was taken into custody days later in Manhattan.

Surveillance footage showed Gonzales and Matthews in a Mercedes-Benz near the Springfield Gardens, Queens, residence of Kenny Greene about 20 minutes before the shooting, according to the release. Greene was arrested and charged with second-degree conspiracy on Sept. 15, 2023, in connection with the party shooting, Newsday reported at the time. He was acquitted of the charge, Donnelly said previously.  

A jury convicted both Gonzalez and Matthews on April 10 of second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Jason Russo, the defense attorney for Gonzalez, and George Michel, representing Matthews, were not immediately available Monday evening for comment. Following their clients’ convictions last month, both defense attorneys told Newsday in separate telephone interviews they planned to file appeals.