On January 30, 2016, at about 3:55 p.m., gunfire broke the afternoon quiet on Germania Avenue in Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood near Jerry Burrell Park. Officers who responded found 22-year-old Marquel E. Fallen inside his parked car with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Ellis Hospital and pronounced dead. Neighbors reported hearing as many as five shots.

Investigators say the killing was carried out from the back seat of Fallen’s car with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun; five shots were fired into the back of the driver’s seat and two struck Fallen in the lower back. Detectives tied the shooting to a suspect they identified as Naseyf Salahuddin, then 19, and to a possible gang-related motive involving alleged disputes over narcotics dealing and proceeds. Authorities located and arrested that suspect on June 8, 2016.

Anybody who knew Marquel, saw activity on Germania Avenue that afternoon, or has information about the events leading up to the shooting is asked to come forward.