Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the prison sentence of CAMBY WILSON, 26, to 23 years-to-life in state prison for fatally shooting 25-year-old Shaquell Gainey at a liquor store in East Harlem in February 2022. On March 9, 2026, a New York State Supreme Court jury found WILSON guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
“Camby Wilson transformed a neighborhood store into a scene of deadly violence when he murdered Shaquell Gainey in the very community where he grew up,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This deliberate act of gun violence has devastated Mr. Gainey’s family and friends, who continue to mourn his loss. Driving down gun violence remains my top priority, and I hope this significant prison sentence delivers a measure of justice and closure to Mr. Gainey’s loved ones.”
As proven at trial, on February 25, 2022, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Mr. Gainey went to a liquor store in East Harlem, near East 116th Street and 1st Avenue. After making a purchase, Mr. Gainey exited the liquor store. As he exited, WILSON, who was wearing a hood and face mask, walked by and Mr. Gainey ran back into the liquor store for safety. WILSON pulled out a firearm and began firing several shots at Mr. Gainey. WILSON then chased Mr. Gainey into the store as he fired additional shots, including striking him in the chest. WILSON fled to the New York City Housing Authority’s Wagner Houses, where he changed his clothing.
Mr. Gainey managed to make it to a nearby deli and collapsed moments later. He was eventually taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting.
WILSON eventually fled the city to Maine. While in Maine, he was arrested on a federal gun charge. WILSON was sentenced to a 24-month prison term in May 2023 in that case. Following that prison term, he was extradited to New York.
Assistant D.A. Andrew Mercer handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Pierre Griffith (Chief of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit), Assistant D.A. Chris Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Supervising Major Case Analyst Jon Diver and Investigative Analyst Brooke Booska are providing valuable assistance. The Survivor Services Bureau also provided assistance.
D.A. Bragg thanked Detective Lamount Deaderick of the 25th Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Albert Krasniqi and Sergeant Fidel Santiago, formerly of Manhattan North Violent Crime Squad, and Detective Ben Murtiff of the Augusta Police Department.
Defendant Information:
CAMBY WILSON
New York, NY
Convicted:
- 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
Sentenced:
- 23 years-to-life in state prison
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