D.A. Bragg Announces Murder Indictment Against Man Who Fatally Shot a Woman Near Union Square


September 29, 2022

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of Clarkson Wilson, 44, for fatally shooting 25-year-old Imani Armstrong as she walked from her job on East 14th Street earlier this month. WILSON is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.[[1]

“As alleged, Clarkson Wilson murdered Imani Armstrong in cold blood after he waited hours outside her place of employment,” said D.A. Bragg. “My thoughts are with Ms. Armstrong’s family and loved ones, who are experiencing immense pain. We are committed to pursuing full accountability and justice in this case.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on September 1, 2022, WILSON traveled into Manhattan on the subway and exited right near the IHOP Restaurant where Armstrong worked. WILSON then lay in wait for about five hours before following her down the street when she left.

After following her for several blocks east and putting on a sweatshirt, WILSON then shot Armstrong at point blank range in the back of the head. Video surveillance captured WILSON fleeing the scene at the corner of 14th Street and Irving Place, changing his clothing to avoid law enforcement and taking the subway back to Brooklyn.

Assistant D.A.s Kristen Baraiola and Sean Flatow are handling the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Jessica Lynn (Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).  Senior Digital Evidence Analyst Jesse Hixon and paralegal Peter Clancy are assisting with the prosecution.

D.A. Bragg also thanked the Detective Christopher Rickford and the NYPD 13th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Steven Stiller and the Manhattan South Homicide Squad for their assistance with the investigation.

Defendant Information:

Clarkson Wilson
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Charged:

  • Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.