Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Isaiah Stokes has been found guilty of murder in the second degree for the fatal shooting of Tyrone Jones in February 2021. The 45-year-old actor, known for his appearances in television series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Boardwalk Empire, was also convicted of two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Stokes now faces up to 25 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 21.
“This was a calculated murder,” said District Attorney Katz. “The defendant, a part-time actor, stewed for months after being thrown out of a birthday party for his own inappropriate behavior. Intent on revenge, Isaiah Stokes placed a GPS on the victim’s car and tracked Tyrone Jones down to Linden Boulevard, where he ruthlessly shot the man 11 times as he sat in his car.”
A Premeditated Attack
The case stems from an altercation between Stokes and Jones at Jones’ birthday party in October 2020. According to trial testimony, Stokes engaged in inappropriate behavior toward female guests at the party. When Jones asked him to leave, a physical fight ensued, during which Stokes was injured.
Months later, on January 29, 2021, Stokes placed a GPS tracking device on Jones’ vehicle. Using the device, he followed Jones’ movements leading up to the shooting on February 7, 2021. That afternoon, Jones was sitting inside his parked Jeep Grand Cherokee in St. Albans, waiting for a friend to arrive for lunch. Stokes, who had arrived in a rented Audi SUV, exited the vehicle and circled the area for approximately 15 minutes before approaching Jones’ car. He then fired 11 shots into the vehicle, striking Jones multiple times in the head and chest. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the shooting, Stokes returned to his apartment in Rego Park and later returned the rental vehicle to a location in Hackensack, New Jersey, on February 16.
Arrest and Trial
The NYPD’s 113th Precinct and Queens South Homicide Squad conducted an extensive investigation, leading to Stokes’ arrest on July 16, 2021. During a search of his apartment, detectives discovered documents linking him to the GPS device found on Jones’ car.
Following a two-week jury trial that began on February 13, the jury found Stokes guilty on all charges. Assistant District Attorney Timothy Regan, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Dina Hodges, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karen Rankin and Executive Assistant District Attorney Pishoy Yacoub.
“My office is laser-focused on gun violence,” said DA Katz. “We will utilize every tool at our disposal to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who use deadly guns on our streets. The jury has now spoken, and the defendant faces up to 25 years to life at sentencing for his criminal actions.”
Stokes will appear in court for sentencing on March 21, where he could receive the maximum penalty of life in prison.