#Suspects eyed for killing 1-year-old in NYC already in jail for other homicides

Enlarge Image

Davell Gardner Sr. is comforted by Reverend Al Sharpton during his son’s funeral service.
AFP via Getty Images

The NYPD has two suspects in custody for the stray-bullet slaying of 1-year-old Davell Gardner in Brooklyn — both of whom are in jail for other homicides, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said Wednesday.

“We’re still trying to see if we can get a charge for the homicide of Davell Gardiner,” Harrison told reporters at One Police Plaza in Manhattan.

The tot was among a group of people at a barbecue at Raymond Bush Playground in Bedford-Stuyvesant on July 12 when suspects hopped out of an SUV and opened fire around 11:35 p.m.

Davell was fatally struck in the stomach. Three men, ages 27, 35 and 36, suffered injuries in the shooting.

The murder shocked a city already on edge over a surge in shootings, roiling protests and the corona virus pandemic.

“Both people of interest are in custody,” Harrison said.

He said the men, whose names weren’t released, were both were recently jailed on murder charges for two separate incidents, one in March and the other April.

The Post previously reported that Deshawn Austin, 25, was arrested for an unrelated crime but was a suspect in Davell’s death, according to police sources.

The alleged Hoolie Blood gang member is accused of fatally shooting a member of another gang on Nostrand Avenue near Herkimer Street back in March, according to the source.

Police would not confirm whether Austin was one of the two suspects Harrison was referring to, citing an ongoing investigation.

“We do have some evidence,” Harrison said. “but the district attorney wants a little more.”