Sixteen-Year-Old Charged After Shoving Queens Churchgoer Down Steps and Stealing Car

Sixteen-Year-Old Charged After Shoving Queens Churchgoer Down Steps and Stealing Car

Jayvaun Prince faces charges of robbery and assault following a brutal attack on an elderly woman, linking him to a previous vehicle theft.

A Queens teenager with a lengthy arrest record faces severe charges after allegedly pushing an elderly grandmother down church stairs and stealing her vehicle during a Sunday service run.

What Happened

The incident occurred on Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Queens, New York. According to prosecutors and police records, 68-year-old Irene Tahliambouris, a regular churchgoer, was preparing to enter her local church when she was suddenly approached by 16-year-old Jayvaun Prince. Investigators state that Prince violently shoved Tahliambouris down the church steps. The force of the fall left the elderly woman with severe, life-threatening injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding on her brain. After knocking her down, the teen reportedly stole her purse and drove off in her car.

Tahliambouris was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. While she was receiving medical treatment, law enforcement officers launched an investigation that quickly connected Prince to another violent crime committed just days earlier.

According to prosecutors, on April 4, 2024—only three days prior to the church attack—Prince allegedly targeted a 50-year-old woman. During that encounter, he threatened the victim, forcing her to hand over her wallet and keys before stealing her vehicle. On Thursday, April 11, 2024, police apprehended Prince. He was subsequently locked up and charged with multiple offenses, including robbery, assault, and grand larceny for both the April 4 and April 7 incidents.

Opposing Context

While Prince is only 16 years old, this recent wave of violence is far from his first encounter with the New York City criminal justice system. Law enforcement sources revealed that Prince has already been arrested five times previously for violent robberies and assaults. In August and September of 2023, he was arrested and charged in connection with six separate robberies that occurred in Queens during August. He was arrested again in December 2023 and on February 2, 2024, for misdemeanor assaults, raising serious questions about juvenile offense monitoring.

Key Facts of the Case

• Suspect: Jayvaun Prince, 16 years old.
• Victims: Irene Tahliambouris (68) and an unnamed 50-year-old woman.
• Incidents: April 4, 2024 (car theft and robbery); April 7, 2024 (church steps assault, robbery, and car theft).
• Tahliambouris's Injuries: Fractured skull, bleeding on the brain.
• Suspect's History: Five prior arrests, including six robbery charges in August 2023 and two misdemeanor assault charges.

Why It Matters

This shocking attack on a vulnerable churchgoer has reignited intense public debate surrounding juvenile crime and the effectiveness of current prosecution methods in New York City. The fact that a 16-year-old suspect with five prior arrests for violent behavior—ranging from multiple grand larcenies to physical assaults—was free to commit consecutive robberies within a single week has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and community leaders. It highlights ongoing concerns about how the legal system manages repeat juvenile offenders and ensures the safety of elderly citizens visiting public and religious institutions.

What Happens Next

Following his arrest on Thursday, Prince's legal proceedings began immediately. He has been indicted by a Queens grand jury for the assault on Tahliambouris. However, his formal arraignment faced delays. The Queens District Attorney's Office is moving forward with prosecution on charges of assault, robbery, and grand larceny. Legal analysts expect prosecutors to push for severe penalties given the gravity of the injuries sustained by the elderly victim and the suspect's extensive history of violent offenses.

What We Still Don't Know

While the charges against Prince have been made public, several details remain unresolved. The current medical status of Irene Tahliambouris has not been fully updated beyond her initial critical hospitalization. Additionally, the sources do not provide direct quotes from the suspect, his family, the victim's family, or the police department. It remains unclear if Prince is being represented by private counsel or a public defender, and the exact court date for his delayed arraignment has not been finalized. Security measures at the church following the attack also remain unannounced.

Source Note

This article draws on reporting from the New York Post, Law & Crime, CBS News, and the Queens District Attorney's Office.