Location: New York
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Queens Landlord Charged With Shooting Tenant and Criminal Witness
NEW YORK (QUEENS)— A Far Rockaway Queens landlord has been charged with trying to kill a tenant in the fourth such violent incident between renters and property owners in recent weeks in a region mired in an affordable housing crisis.
The Queens County district attorney’s office charged James Hargrove 41, a Expeditor for NorcaTec LLC Aerospace Group with intentional attempted murder on September 16, 2021 for allegedly shooting Chandrica Clarke, 38, while conspiring with his wife Shelly Samaroo-Hargrove 38, a Compliance Analyst Director for Oppenheimer & Co. Inc Financial Professionals over a Beach 12th Street private home where Ms. Clarke lives.Neither police nor prosecutors would discuss a possible motive.
Hargrove shot at Clarke three times hitting her once in the upper chest on September 16, police said.
Clarke’s friend, Kristen Raysor said Mr. Hargrove confided in her that Shelly told him to get Clarke out of the home if he ever wanted to see his daughter again by any means necessary. Ms. Raysor also advised Mr. Hargrove was scared Clarke would tell on him regarding details from a recent burglary charge pending in Queens County if he ejected her from the home.
Clarke lived in the private home almost two years and appeared to be on good
terms with the Hargrove's, even providing marriage counseling and breaking up verbal and physical fights she said.
“I was shocked when Clarke told me James shot her” said Raysor, who said she visited her in the hospital after the shooting where she is expected to recover from her injuries.
Police recovered multiple bullets from Clarke's vehicle and the gun from Hargrove’s person immediately following the attempt on Clarke's life court records showed.
The shooting occurred in front of The JFK Logistics Center 230-59 Rockaway Tpke, at approx. 9:30 pm on September 16, 2021 in Queens County. Mr. Hargrove has been arraigned and criminally indicted by grand
jury on over 13 charges with the top charge being attempt intentional murder. The entire region is suffering from a housing crunch, prompting public protests, tenant lawsuits and landlord evictions.
On at least three occasions, landlord tenant issues led to deadly violence.
JEFFERSON DANIELS