Barbershop Shooting Suspects Plead Guilty to Manslaughter

Two men charged in the 2023 fatal shooting at a Second Avenue barbershop have pleaded guilty to manslaughter, thereby avoiding a trial that was scheduled to begin on Monday. Samir Princeton, 22, and Dejoune Smith, 21, were among four individuals charged following a drive-by shooting on May 13, 2023. This incident resulted in the death of 47-year-old barber Tyrone Staley and injured a 19-year-old and a 9-year-old.

Princeton and Smith entered their guilty pleas to first-degree manslaughter on Friday. The Albany County District Attorney's Office announced that Princeton is scheduled for sentencing on September 18th to 23 years in prison, while Smith will receive 18 to 20 years. District Attorney Lee Kindlon stated that these pleas bring an end to a prosecution initiated three years ago and will prevent further re-traumatization of victims and witnesses.

Two other individuals previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the shooting. Timmoure Miller, 21, received a 25-year prison sentence in November 2024 after pleading guilty to manslaughter. An 18-year-old, who was 15 at the time of the incident, was sentenced to 3⅓ to 10 years in prison in March after pleading guilty to manslaughter in November 2025.

Authorities believe the four suspects were members of an uptown gang and may have been seeking revenge for online insults. The stolen Toyota Camry used in the drive-by shooting contained an automatic weapon. The shop owner was cutting his grandson's hair when a bullet grazed the boy, and Staley was fatally wounded. The 19-year-old, believed to be the intended target, was leaving the shop and was shot in the foot.

Tyrone Staley was remembered as a happy, likable person who contributed to the community. He is survived by his son, daughter, and two other children he raised. He was planning to marry the following February. The 9-year-old grandson of the shop owner was grazed by a bullet.