Manhattan Man Sentenced to Life for Double Murder
Lenue Moore received a life sentence for the 2023 Washington Heights shooting of two neighbors.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Violence
A Manhattan court sentenced 34-year-old Lenue Moore to life in prison without parole after he was convicted of killing two neighbors. Moore shot Jacqueline Billini and Levaughn Harvin following a long-standing feud over barking dogs.
Why it matters
The case highlights the extreme escalation of neighborhood disputes that turned fatal in Washington Heights. Moore utilized digital surveillance to track his victims before ambushing them in public.
A jury found the defendant guilty of first- and second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and aggravated cruelty to animals. Prosecutors secured the conviction after Moore was apprehended in Brooklyn.
The players
Lenue Moore
He is the 34-year-old man convicted and sentenced for the murders of two neighbors and a dog.
Jacqueline Billini
She was a 57-year-old victim killed during the shooting incident in Washington Heights.
Levaughn Harvin
He was a 42-year-old victim who died alongside Billini in the September 2023 shooting.
The details
Moore used Ring camera footage to monitor the movements of Billini, 57, and Harvin, 42, before waiting for them at the corner of W. 165th St. and Edgecomb Ave. In addition to the two victims, Moore killed a dog named Zeus during the September 2023 shooting.
Timeline
The shooting occurred in Washington Heights in September 2023.
A jury convicted Moore of murder in December 2025.
The court sentenced Moore to life in prison on September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern set by the 2023 New York City firearm enforcement sentencing guidelines that mandate severe penalties for gun-related fatalities. The sentencing reflects a hardening stance in Manhattan courts against public acts of extreme violence.
The resolution of this case closes a volatile chapter for residents of Washington Heights who witnessed the public shooting. The conviction and subsequent sentencing serve as a definitive legal outcome for a neighborhood long disturbed by the feud.
The takeaway
Disputes with neighbors regarding household pets or property can escalate into dangerous confrontations requiring early intervention. Residents are encouraged to report threatening behavior or persistent harassment to local authorities before situations intensify.
Further reading
For more on local crime trends, visit New York City Violence.
