Isaiah Stokes, also known as I$AIAH, age 45, was found guilty on Friday of shooting Tyrone Jones, 37, nearly a dozen times inside his parked car on February 7, 2021. Stokes, who also pursues a music career under the name I$AIAH, was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon after a two-week jury trial that began on February 13. This incident took place in Queens, and Stokes now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The tragic event stemmed from a vendetta Stokes held against Jones, which began when Jones kicked him out of a birthday party in October 2020. Acting on his grudge, Stokes allegedly placed a GPS device under Jones’ car in January 2021 to track him down for the fatal shooting that occurred later that month. Surveillance footage captured Stokes approaching Jones’ parked car and firing 11 shots, resulting in Jones’s death.
Prosecutors described the murder as calculated and revenge-fueled. DA Melinda Katz emphasized the seriousness of gun violence and commended the efforts of the prosecutors and NYPD detectives in building the case. Stokes is scheduled for sentencing on March 21 and could face 25 years to life behind bars for his actions.
