Suspect indicted in Bushwick transgender shooting

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A Bushwick man is facing second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime and other charges in a 13-count indictment stemming from an incident in September in which he and two others allegedly taunted three men with anti-gay slurs before firing six shots at the trio, striking one of the men in the buttocks.

District Attorney Ken Thompson identified the suspect as 20-year-old Matthew Smith, who is expected to be arraigned on Thursday in Brooklyn Supreme Court. If convicted of the top count, he faces up to 25 years in prison. Smith is presently being held without bail as was ordered at his Criminal Court arraignment on September 28, 2014.

"In Brooklyn, everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or sexual identity, must be treated with dignity and respect," Thompson said. "The victims in this case were minding their own business and had every right to believe they could safely walk the streets. This indictment reflects our determination to protect all of the people of Brooklyn."

According to the investigation, at approximately 7 a.m., on September 27, 2014, in the vicinity of Putnam and Bushwick avenues, three gay men who were dressed in women's clothing were walking on the street when Smith and his two co-defendants, Tavon Johnson and Cody Sigue, who were standing on a corner across the street, allegedly began shouting taunts at them.

The victims began walking away from the area, according to the investigation, and the suspects followed them for a block. At that point, the victims started walking rapidly to get away, but were allegedly followed even after they rounded a corner. Police say that Smith then took out a handgun and opened fire.

Johnson and Sigue were arrested shortly thereafter and Smith was arrested later that day.

Smith is charged with three counts of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime, three counts of second-degree attempted murder, one count of first-degree assault as a hate crime, one count of first-degree assault, two counts of attempted first-degree assault as a hate crime, two counts of first-degree attempted assault and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Johnson, 17, and Sigue, 22, are charged with third-degree menacing as a hate crime, second-degree aggravated harassment, third-degree menacing and second-degree harassment. They were arraigned on September 28, 2014, and released without bail. If convicted on the top count, they face up to one year in prison.