Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the court sentenced LENUE MOORE, 34, to life without parole in state prison for fatally shooting Jacqueline Billini, 57; her friend Levaughn Harvin, 42; and Ms. Billini’s dog, Zeus, in Washington Heights on September 29, 2023. On December 4, 2025, a New York State Supreme Court jury convicted MOORE on all counts, including Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Aggravated Criminal Contempt and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. The jury also convicted MOORE of all the charges stemming from an earlier incident in April 2023 in which he attempted to break into Ms. Billini’s apartment, injuring her and two others, in a dispute over noise, including Burglary in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.

“In response to Lenue Moore’s brutal and escalating conduct, Jacqueline Billini did what we ask every New Yorker to do: she came forward to report violence so that we can pursue accountability,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Tragically, her efforts were met with devastating consequences when Moore devised a scheme to target her, ambushing and killing Ms. Billini, her friend Levaughn Harvin and her pet. This senseless act of retaliation left two families and an entire community grieving, including Mr. Harvin’s children, who witnessed the unimaginable. While we cannot undo this unspeakable violence, I hope that today brings a measure of closure to the families and loved ones of Ms. Billini and Mr. Harvin, and may their memories live on for years to come.”

As proven at trial, MOORE had an ongoing dispute with Jacqueline Billini, his neighbor, over noise. On April 11, 2023, MOORE attempted to kick in Ms. Billini’s apartment door, breaking her arm as she tried to hold the door closed. As he continued trying to force his way inside, individuals inside the apartment came to Ms. Billini’s aid. During the incident, MOORE swung a hammer through a crack in the door, striking one individual in the head. Ms. Billini reported the incident to the police and an Order of Protection was issued.

MOORE was indicted for the April incident and arraigned in Supreme Court on May 18, 2023. During the court proceedings that followed, MOORE learned that Ms. Bellini had testified before the Grand Jury. The Order of Protection remained in effect.

In the days leading up to the shooting, MOORE monitored Ms. Billin’s whereabouts using Ring camera footage.

On September 29, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Ms. Billini was out walking her dogs while accompanied by her friend Levaughn Harvin near West 165th Street and Edgecombe Avenue. MOORE approached from behind and fired over a dozen shots at them, at close range. Ms. Billini was struck in the forehead and killed, and Harvin was struck in the neck, damaging major blood vessels and killing him. Zeus, one of Billini’s dogs, was fatally shot in the upper portion of his back.

MOORE fled toward Amsterdam Avenue and boarded a southbound M101 bus. On October 10, 2023, the NYPD tracked him to an apartment in Queens, executed a court-authorized search warrant, and seized the firearm used in the murder, though MOORE was not present. On October 26, 2023, the police tracked MOORE down to an apartment in Brooklyn, where he was found hiding under a bed, and placed him under arrest.

Assistant D.A.s Joshua Steinglass (Senior Trial Counsel) and Kristin Bailey are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant Nicole Blumberg (Chief of Trial Bureau 40), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Major Case Analyst Natalie Bueno and former Trial Preparation Assistants Madeleine Dupee, Paige Unterman and Emily Edwards assisted in the investigation.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Randy Rose formerly of Manhattan South Homicide, Detective Alejandro Rivas formerly of the 33rd Precinct Detective Squad, and Detective Matthew Vorraro formerly of the U.S. Marshalls Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Defendant Information:

LENUE MOORE
Manhattan, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the First Degree, an A-I felony, one count
• Murder in the Second Degree, an A-I felony, one count
• Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Aggravated Criminal Contempt, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a class E felony, one count

 

Sentenced:

• Life without parole

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