Attempted to Murder Two Other Workers
A Hempstead man was convicted of murdering a supervisor and attempting to kill two coworkers at a West Hempstead supermarket in April 2021.
Gabriel DeWitt Wilson, 33, was convicted by a jury on May 3 of one count of second-degree murder (an A-I felony), two counts of second-degree attempted murder (a B violent felony), two counts of first-degree assault (a B violent felony), and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony). The trial, before Judge Helene Gugerty, began on April 24, and the jury deliberated for less than six hours before delivering their verdict.
He was acquitted of two counts of second-degree attempted murder.
On April 20, 2021, at approximately 11:19 a.m., Wilson, an employee of the Stop and Shop Grocery Store at 50 Cherry Valley Avenue in West Hempstead, entered the store and went to the second floor, where the managers’ offices are located. The defendant was not scheduled to work at that time. Wilson then entered the store manager’s office, where he shot one victim in the face and twice in the chest area. He then shot a female manager, hitting her in the shoulder, with the bullet exiting her back. Wilson then entered a second office where he fired multiple rounds and struck 49-year-old Raymond Wishropp in the chest and leg. Wishropp was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wilson calmly left the building and walked toward Hempstead. He was arrested at approximately 3:50 p.m. the same day in Hempstead by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations and the Hempstead Police Department.
He was remanded and is due back for sentencing on June 8. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 90 years to life in prison.
“This defendant has shown zero remorse for his actions,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “We thank the jury for their service and our thoughts are with Ray’s many family members, friends, and longtime coworkers – many of whom attended the trial – as they continue to mourn his senseless loss.”