By Associated Press - Friday, April 2, 2021

NEW YORK (AP) - A 19-year-old man has been arrested in the death last month of a New York City mother who was struck by a stray bullet during a shootout on a Queens street.

Dajuan Williams was arraigned Thursday on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the March 12 death of 37-year-old Gudelia Vallinas in Astoria.

A judge ordered Williams jailed without bail. He is due back in court on Tuesday. A message seeking comment was left with his lawyer.



Police say Vallinas, a married mother of two, was accidentally caught in the crossfire as two men involved in an altercation at a nearby public housing development chased each other and fired gunshots in the area.

Vallinas was wounded in the head while running an errand, according to police and family members.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Story Topics

Please read our comment policy before commenting.