A cycle of street violence in Crown Heights ended with the death of 16-year-old Tyquan Howard in the spring of 2020. On the afternoon of May 12, 2020, Howard was shot in the abdomen in front of 1475 Saint John’s Place. He ran to the courtyard of 1550 Sterling Place, collapsed there, and was found by officers from the 77th Precinct following a trail of blood. Paramedics transported him to Brookdale University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Two months earlier Howard had been arrested and charged with robbery and gang assault in connection with a March 5, 2020 attack on a 15-year-old girl on Utica Avenue that was captured on video. At the time of his death, public details about his release from custody were not available. No arrests were made for an extended period and the investigation remained open; the shooting took place while the city was largely under COVID-19 lockdown, which was reported as a factor possibly affecting witnesses.

In August 2024 prosecutors announced indictments tied to a takedown of two rival street gangs, alleging Howard was a member of the Stain Gang and that members of the Albany Gang carried out his murder, an event described as triggering further retaliatory shootings in the neighborhood. Specific individuals charged in Howard’s killing were not detailed in the initial announcement. If anyone knew Tyquan or has information about the shooting, please come forward.