Just before dawn on September 28, 2015, gunfire on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens, left 26-year-old Charles Williams of Brooklyn dead outside the Crystal Hookah Lounge/Crystal Lounge. Police say a dispute tied to the venue spilled onto the sidewalk, where Williams was arguing with another man as a second man moved to a white BMW, reached inside, produced a gun, and opened fire before speeding away in the car.

Officers recovered multiple shell casings at the scene. Williams was struck multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Queens, where he was pronounced dead. When his body was moved, a .38-caliber revolver was found in his possession, a detail investigators noted as they canvassed for witnesses and video. The NYPD said the shooter was being sought and no one had been arrested.