Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Brooklyn man was convicted yesterday of the murder of a 21-year-old man during a Massapequa house party on July 4, 2020.
Thomas Massenburg, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was convicted Thursday after a jury trial before Judge Howard Sturim of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony); Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony); and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony).
The trial began on September 11, 2024. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before delivering their verdict. The defendant is due back for sentencing on December 5, 2024, and faces a potential maximum of 50 years to life in prison.
“Thomas Massenburg threw a Fourth of July party into complete chaos when he took out a loaded weapon and shot at multiple party goers, killing 21-year-old Rashawn Cummings and injuring another man,” said DA Donnelly. “Independence Day parties and barbeques are a celebrated tradition for families across Nassau County. Our communities should never have to fear that gunfire could tear through their backyard gatherings and end in tragedy. We thank the jury for their service and for holding this defendant accountable for his violent actions.”
DA Donnelly said that, on July 4, 2020, Massenburg and other alleged members of the Mac Baller Bloods from Brooklyn attended a Fourth of July party on West Drive in Massapequa.
Rashawn Cummings, a friend of another defendant, Learyk Jarvis, came to the party later and a physical altercation ensued between the two groups in the basement of the home.
Jarvis allegedly waved a gun in the air and told everyone to leave the house.
During the altercation, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Massenburg obtained a loaded gun from Quran Blue, another Mac Baller Blood from Brooklyn, and a friend of the defendant, and shot Cummings once in the leg and once in the back. Massenburg also shot another man once in the arm and twice in the buttocks. That man survived.
Jarvis then allegedly shot Massenburg in the groin.
Cummings was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After the shooting, Massenburg passed the gun to Blue, who went outside and fired an additional five shots from the weapon.
Massenburg was arrested on June 3, 2021, by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Jarvis was arrested by members of the NCPD on June 17, 2021.
Jarvis was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and was sentenced on April 13, 2023, to 3-1/2 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision.
Blue was arrested on March 3, 2022, and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He was sentenced on June 8, 2023, to 3-1/2 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision.
Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jared Rosenblatt and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. Massenburg is represented by Sam Karliner Esq. and Mitchell Ellman, Esq. Jarvis is represented by Steven Gaitman, Esq. Blue is represented by David Adhami, Esq.