Two Plead Guilty in Fatal 2021 Queens Shooting
Ashram Lochan and Jovan Young admit to manslaughter in the death of a 10-year-old boy in Edgemere.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Violence
Ashram Lochan and Jovan Young have pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for a 2021 shooting in Edgemere that killed 10-year-old Justin Wallace. The violence stemmed from a dispute over a shared driveway on Beach 45th Street.
Why it matters
The guilty pleas resolve serious criminal indictments that initially included charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder. The court process will conclude with scheduled sentencing dates for both men in October 2026.
Ashram Lochan and Jovan Young pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, with sentencing set for 19 and 24 years, respectively. Both men also face five years of post-release supervision.
The players
Ashram Lochan
He is a 32-year-old who resided next to the victim's neighbor and directed the fatal shooting.
Jovan Young
He is a 34-year-old who fired the shots that resulted in the death of Justin Wallace.
Justin Wallace
He was a 10-year-old boy who was killed during the 2021 shooting in the Edgemere neighborhood.
Kyle Forrester
He is a 29-year-old man who was involved in a driveway dispute and was injured during the shooting.
The details
Jovan Young fired multiple rounds from a pistol into a Beach 45th Street residence at the direction of Ashram Lochan following a dispute with neighbor Kyle Forrester. The victims were struck as 29-year-old Forrester entered his front door on the evening of June 5, 2021.
Timeline
The shooting occurred on June 5, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Jovan Young entered a guilty plea on October 6, 2026.
Ashram Lochan is scheduled for sentencing on October 16, 2026.
Jovan Young is scheduled for sentencing on October 23, 2026.
Legal Context
The sentencing agreements for Lochan and Young follow the statutory parameters set by New York state manslaughter in the first degree sentencing guidelines. These pleas mark a definitive conclusion to the judicial process for this fatal incident in Queens.
The resolution of this case brings a conclusion to a high-profile violent incident that deeply affected the Edgemere community. Residents in the area have monitored the proceedings closely since the 2021 shooting took place on Beach 45th Street.
The takeaway
This case serves as a somber reminder of how escalating personal disputes can lead to irreversible tragedies in a neighborhood. The resolution provides a measure of closure for the community following the loss of a child.
What happens next
Ashram Lochan is scheduled for sentencing on October 16, 2026, followed by Jovan Young on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local public safety issues at New York City Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Wave - Rockaway's Newspaper since 1893 | 718-634-4000.
