Queens Man Killed Ex Who Had Protection Order Against Him: Jury

FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS -- A Queens man now faces life behind bars after he was found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend and firing off three shots at her neighbor directly after, prosecutors said.

Tyquan Long, 31, was convicted on Tuesday in the 2016 murder of Joann Gravette, his 36-year-old ex-lover found dead in her apartment just 10 days after she pleaded with Long to leave her alone, according to trial testimony.

The Far Rockaway man's alleged response: "I'd rather be dead or make peace with God in jail."

"Ending a relationship should not equal a death sentence," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

But in this case, that's exactly what happened to Gravette, who had an active order of protection against Long when he showed up at her apartment on Beach 32nd Street the morning of Jan. 27, 2016, Brown said.

Video surveillance showed Long walking into Gravette's apartment and leaving several minutes later carrying what appeared to be a gun, according to trial testimony. A neighbor called police just before 11 a.m. after hearing what sounded like a struggle, followed by a loud "boom" coming from the apartment, Brown said.

Officers later found Gravette lying facedown on her apartment floor, her lifeless body riddled with bullets, Brown said.

But Long wasn't satisfied with just killing his ex-lover, prosecutors said.

"After killing this woman, the defendant consumed by rage, confronted a neighbor in the building's lobby and also shot her," Brown said. "Thankfully, she survived."

In the exchange, which was caught on tape, Long allegedly told Gravette's 51-year-old neighbor that her son - whom he knew - was "playing games" before shooting her three times, according to trial testimony. The woman was able to flee the lobby after one of the bullets sliced through her finger.

After the shooting, Long fled to Sacramento, California, where he was cuffed a week later and then shipped back to Queens County.

After a weeklong trial at Queens Supreme Court, a jury convicting Long of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree assault, aggravated criminal contempt, second-degree attempted assault and petit larceny.

He faces up to 54 years to life in prison for the crimes, which he will be sentenced for on April 25.

Lead photo via Shutterstock.