Brownsville man sentenced for fatally shooting ex-friend in 2022
Harvey French, 54, will serve 23 years to life behind bars for killing James Huff, 56, at the NYCHA Brownsville Houses on April 18.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the sentencing of a Brownsville man for fatally shooting his former friend in 2022.
Harvey French, 54, will serve 23 years to life behind bars for killing James Huff, 56, at the NYCHA Brownsville Houses on April 18.
According to court documents, French and Huff were involved in a verbal dispute around 6:30 p.m. near Blake Avenue and Rockaway Avenue. French pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking Huff approximately five to seven times.
DA Gonzalez says Huff was shot in his side, chest and legs. When he tried to escape, French continued firing, striking him in the back.
EMS rushed Huff to Brookdale University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police arrested French nearly six months later in Brooklyn. He was convicted of murder and criminal possession of a weapon on Oct. 17, 2025.
"Today's sentence provides accountability for this defendant for escalating an argument into a shooting and taking a man's life,” said Gonzalez. “Gun violence is at record lows in Brooklyn and keeping defendants such as this individual off of our streets makes communities safer. I am committed to delivering justice for victims and continuing to keep our borough safer than ever.”
