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Dion Middleton: NYC corrections officer faces upto 25 YEARS in prison for fatally shooting teen

Middleton allegedly shot dead 18-year-old Raymond Chaluisant while he was sitting in the passenger seat of an Acura on July 21, 2022

BRONX, NEW YORK CITY: A New York City corrections officer is facing up to 25 years to life in prison after allegedly shooting a teenager in the Bronx in July 2022. The corrections officer identified as Dion Middleton, 45, was indicted on murder and manslaughter charges on Monday, August 22.
 
According to the New York Post, Middleton allegedly fired at an 18-year-old teen identified as Raymond Chaluisant while he was sitting in the passenger seat of an Acura. The incident occurred near the Cross Bronx Expressway and Morris Avenue on July 21, 2022, at 1 am. Middleton, who was off-duty at the time, left the scene but was arrested by the NYPD when he showed up for work the following day. According to the publication, the corrections officer has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and first and second-degree manslaughter charges.
 
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According to the New York Post, the cops revealed that the 18-year-old had an Orbeez water-pellet gun on him. Chaluisant was shot in the face after Middleton’s attorney claimed he felt a “stinging in his back” and saw a passenger in the car making a hand gesture. Middleton, as per his attorney, acted out of fear for his life. Orbeez water-pellet guns have gone viral on TikTok. The toys resemble military-style weapons but shoot gel pellets instead of bullets. They are mostly brightly colored.
 
The publication reported that Justice Denis Boyle set the bail of the officer at a $1 million bond or $500K cash. Also, the officer will have to wear an ankle monitor if he makes bail. Speaking of the crime, Attorney Joey Jackson claimed that Middleton opened fire in self-defense. “Let’s call it what it is, a weapon. It looks real and it’s a weapon that shoots pellets which tend to hurt,” said Jackson of the water-pellet gun during a court hearing held in July.

Prosecutor Justin Siebel had earlier responded to the claims, stating that Middleton had admitted that he didn’t see anyone holding a firearm, adding that he also did not hear the shots fired. “His actions show that he does not intend to and definitely did not intend to at the time take any responsibility for the fact that he had just fired a round,” Siebel had said at the time. Middleton will next appear in court on November 16, 2022.
 
Since the shooting, NYPD tweeted about "bead blasters" being illegal in the city. “Bead Blasters shoot gel water beads propelled by a spring-loaded air pump, making them an air rifle. Air rifles are a violation in NYC & are unlawful to possess,” read the NYPD tweet, adding, “Violators found in possession of these will be issued a criminal summons & the weapon will be confiscated.”