PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release on November 22, 2005
Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

D.A. Donovan Announces Arrest & Indictment in
Fatal August ’05 Shooting
***Alkim Mills, 18, Charged With August 27th Murder; 27 year-old Frank Mehmeti
Fatally Shot in Front of Port Richmond Home***

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. announced today the arrest and indictment of Park Hill resident Alkim (aka Likem Mills) Mills (DOB: 9/30/1987) on charges of Murder in the 2nd degree as well as one count each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd and 3rd degrees.

On August 27, 2005, at approximately 8:25 pm, following a dispute in front of at least two witnesses, the defendant is accused of firing two shots, one of which fatally struck 27 year-old Frank Mehmeti in front of the victim’s home on Catherine Street in the Port Richmond section of the borough.

District Attorney Donovan stated, “This arrest and indictment is the product of an intensive investigation between the NYPD and prosecutors from my office which spanned several states utilizing cell phone technology and good old fashioned police work. Following the shooting detectives were able to track Alkim Mills’ movements via his cell-phone records throughout New York and into Ohio and ultimately to West Virginia where he was apprehended.”

On November 10th, Alkim Mills was taken into custody at approximately 11:00 pm in Charleston, West Virginia. He was ordered held without bail by a local magistrate pending extradition to New York. The defendant waived his right to an extradition hearing and was returned to New York last night.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Mark Palladino and Matt Blum, under the supervision of ADA Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau. From the New York City Police Department the case was investigated by Detective Thomas Joyce of the 120th Precinct Detective Unit.

The defendant was arraigned Tuesday morning in Richmond County State Supreme Court before Judge Leonard P. Rienzi who ordered him held without bail. The top count of the indictment, Murder in the 2nd degree, carries a penalty of up to 25 years to life in prison.

The public is reminded than an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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