Ronell Watson, a 33-year-old man from Canarsie, Brooklyn, was sentenced to 382 months, or more than 31 years, in prison for attempting to murder and assault FBI Special Agent Christopher Harper in 2018.
According to prosecutors, on December 8, 2018, Special Agent Harper was on-duty conducting surveillance in an unrelated case when Watson, driving a BMW sedan in the wrong direction, approached Agent Harper’s vehicle. Watson partially blocked Agent Harper’s vehicle, exited his BMW and approached Agent Harper’s vehicle with his hand inside the pocket of his sweatshirt.
As Agent Harper tried to maneuver his vehicle around the BMW, Watson pulled a handgun out of his pocket and fired multiple shots, wounding Agent Harper in the back; the bullet lodged in one of his lungs. Agent Harper returned fire at Watson, wounding him in the hand.
Watson abandoned his bullet-ridden BMW at a nearby auto body shop, then had a friend drive him in another vehicle to the hospital where he was ultimately arrested. Special Agent Harper underwent multiple surgeries to have the bullet removed from his lung and continue his service as a Special Agent of the FBI.
Mark J. Lesko, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, praised the lengthy prison sentence, stating, ‘This Office is gratified by the lengthy prison sentence the court imposed on Watson for his senseless, cold-blooded and unprovoked shooting of Special Agent Harper, who came close to losing his life.’
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. also commented on the sentence, saying, ‘Ronell Watson has now learned illegal behavior comes with lasting consequences. He will now spend the next 31 years of his life in federal prison for his ambush attack of FBI Special Agent Harper.’
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francisco J. Navarro.
Defendant Information:
RONELL WATSON, Age: 33, Canarsie, Brooklyn
Criminal Charges: Attempted Murder and Assault of an FBI Special Agent
City and State: Brooklyn, New York
Exact Date: December 8, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: 382 months (more than 31 years) in prison
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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