New Haven man gets 28 years in fatal shooting that netted perpetrators $85 Co-defendant got 25 years in April

NEW HAVEN >> Shaun Myers has been sentenced to serve 28 years in prison for felony murder in the shooting death of Qusaan McKoy three years ago on Chapel Street.

Myers joined co-defendant Tavares Barnes, who in April received a 25-year sentence for the same shooting.

Both sentences were imposed by Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Clifford. When he sentenced Barnes, 20, of Hamden on April 12, Clifford called the crime “senseless” and “stupid.” He noted the perpetrators stole just $85 from McKoy as he lay on the ground after being shot.

The two sentences came after both defendants pleaded guilty. Barnes on Jan. 29 pleaded guilty to felony murder in exchange for receiving the 25-year term, the minimum sentence for that offense. Myers, 25, of Quinnipiac Avenue, New Haven, on May 11 pleaded guilty to felony murder and carrying a pistol without a permit in order to get the 28-year sentence. The weapons offense sentence of five years was made concurrent with the felony murder one.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Sibley Sr. agreed to drop other charges for the defendants in exchange for their guilty pleas and their agreements not to go to trial. Myers originally was also charged with murder, attempted first-degree robbery and criminal use of a weapon.

McKoy, 31, was attacked on Chapel Street near Derby Avenue on April 29, 2013. He died at Yale-New Haven Hospital after being shot four times.

According to the police case incident report, Myers confessed to shooting McKoy. Myers also reportedly told police they had an argument about money the night before the shooting.

McKoy’s mother, Zella Jackson, delivered an emotional statement during Barnes’ sentencing, which was read by Victim Services Advocate Beata Bagi.

In that statement, Jackson noted “he left his beloved daughter fatherless. He left four siblings and many nieces and nephews grieving and missing him badly. He loved them and tried so hard to teach them to not make the same mistake he did.”

Jackson said that since her son died, “my life has turned into a nightmare.”

Bagi Monday recalled Jackson spoke without notes during Myers’ hearing but imparted the same message.

Sibley could not be reached for comment Monday.

Defense attorney Thomas Farver reported Myers issued “a heartfelt apology” when Clifford gave him a chance to speak at the sentencing hearing.

“He said it was his fault,” Farver recalled. “He said he didn’t know why or how it happened. But he was philosophical and honest. He asked, ‘Why are we doing this to ourselves? We’re killing each other in the streets and don’t know how to fix it. Something’s got to stop it but I don’t know how.’”

Farver also recalled Myers telling Clifford, “Life on the street isn’t a good life. We’re being raised to be the toughest guy but somebody else will be tougher. That’s not who we should be. I thought I had to be the toughest guy.”

Call Randall Beach at 203-680-9345.