Men charged with setting fire to cover up Queens murder

NEW YORK

The body of 43-year old Azeem Ali was found tied up with electrical cord in a second floor apartment in the Richmond Hill building. He had been shot once in the head.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced the arrest of two men: 22-year old Stephen Peters and 17-yearold Jason St. Hill, both of 116-11 95th Street in Richmond Hill.

Brown said the two went to Ali's apartment to steal money from him after midnight on Sunday.

Once inside, they allegedly punched and pistol whipped him and then tied his hands and feet with cord.

Brown said Peters got Ali's PIN number, as well as his ATM card, then allegedly shot him in the head and poured gasoline around the apartment before lighting it on fire.

The suspects are then accused of using the ATM card to withdraw $200.

They are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, second-degree arson, first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and tampering with physical evidence.

If convicted, they each face up to 25 years to life in prison

Ali's body was discovered when firefighters arrived early Sunday morning.

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