Balkumar Singh was arrested by Trinidadian authorities on 16-year old indictment charges; featured in 2009 episode of America’s Most Wanted
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the arraignment of a Guyanese man wanted for a 1999 shooting, in which he killed 19-year old Abzal Khan and injured another man at a Hicksville wedding.
Balkumar Singh, believed to be 37 years of age, was arraigned in front of Acting Supreme Court Justice Alan Honorof, on the following grand jury indictment charges today:
• Two counts of Murder in the 2nd Degree (an A-I violent felony)
• Assault in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony)• Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree (a D felony)
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony)• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (a D felony)
• Tampering with Physical Evidence (an E felony)
If convicted of the top charge, Singh faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole. He was remanded and is due back in court on August 19.
“This defendant stayed one step ahead of the law for 16 years, but that time has ended and the process of getting justice for the Khan family begins now,” Acting DA Singas said. “Singh is accused of committing a cold-blooded murder during a wedding and we will hold him accountable for his actions. I commend Trinidadian authorities, the U.S. Marshals and our partners in the Nassau County Police Department for helping arrest this fugitive.”
Acting DA Singas said that on June 13, 1999, the defendant attended a wedding reception at the Masonic Hall on West Nicolai Street, Hicksville. Singh brought a 9mm firearm to the reception and became involved in an altercation on the dance floor. After the incident the defendant left the party and waited outside for Abzal Khan. As the victim exited the temple, Singh took his gun out and fired multiple times, striking Khan seven times.
Witnesses described Singh as standing over Khan’s body while shooting him and the incident was witnessed by a crowd of at least 20 people. A 22-year old man, also attending the wedding, was shot in the foot and survived.
The defendant, who had multiple aliases, ran from the scene and, it is believed he spent time in Guyana and Canada.
On July 19, 1999, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment charging the defendant with the above-mentioned crimes.
Singh, also known as Tevin Persaud, was featured in a 2009 episode of the America’s Most Wanted television show.
The defendant was provisionally arrested by Trinidadian authorities in March 2015. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office began the extradition process and Singh was returned to the United States on August 14 by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Division, who worked in conjunction with U.S. Marshals.
Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Cepriano and Victoria Mauri of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau are prosecuting the case. Singh was not represented by counsel at the arraignment and counsel will be assigned on August 19.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.