Coney Island Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Construction Site Shooting Death

A Brooklyn man was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for the 2019 murder of a construction worker and the wounding of another outside a Coney Island job site.

Malik Fryar, 34, of Coney Island, was convicted of second-degree murder on September 3 for the death of 53-year-old Dorothy Dixon. The shooting occurred on February 4, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on West 33rd Street, where Dixon and other workers were seeking employment. Fryar reportedly argued with a worker over job opportunities before returning to his vehicle, retrieving an illegally possessed loaded firearm, and opening fire on the group.

Dixon was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and another worker sustained a gunshot wound to the foot. Fryar fled the scene on foot, while his wife abandoned their vehicle, which was later recovered in Brighton Beach a month later. He was apprehended on July 17, 2019, in Manhattan while attempting to escape through an air conditioning duct. This case highlights the increasing concerns surrounding gun violence in New York City.

“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a hardworking woman, devastating her family,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “Dorothy Dixon was a mother of six and grandmother of many more who was just trying to earn a living when her life was viciously cut short.” The conviction brings a measure of closure to Dixon’s family, who have been advocating for justice since the tragic event. The New York State court system provides further information on sentencing guidelines.

Authorities stated Fryar will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years, though the life sentence ensures a significant period of incarceration.