Queens uncle convicted of gunning down his nephew in ‘petty’ fight over cash for BBQ food
Chevaughn Millings, 25, was shot 10 times by his uncle in the petty dispute. Gofundme
A Queens man has been convicted of fatally shooting his nephew in what prosecutors called a “petty dispute” over who was paying for chicken at a family barbecue.
Durran Morgan, 40, was involved in a heated argument with his 25-year-old nephew, Chevaughn Millings, during a Memorial Day gathering in 2023 at a St. Albans home. The disagreement reportedly centered on the cost of food, prompting family members to ask Morgan to leave the house.
Shortly after 9:15 p.m., Morgan returned to the Pineville Lane residence and fired at Millings, hitting him 10 times, prosecutors said. A 20-year-old niece was also struck multiple times in the leg and grazed by a bullet on the forehead. Prosecutors confirmed she survived and is recovering, while Millings died from his injuries.
Following the shooting, Morgan fled to Georgia but eventually returned to New York to surrender at the 113th Precinct. Details remain unclear about how much he asked Millings to pay for the chicken.
During his 2023 arraignment, Morgan’s attorney claimed he was a Marine veteran who served in Iraq—a claim prosecutors disproved during the trial. On Wednesday, a jury deliberated less than two hours before convicting him of murder and assault. Morgan now faces 50 years to life when sentenced in Queens Supreme Court on Dec. 16.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “What should have been a joyous holiday weekend turned to complete tragedy when the defendant shot and killed his 25-year-old nephew over a petty dispute about food payment. Gun violence is never the answer to any argument.”
Morgan had a history of violent behavior. Four months before the shooting, he was arrested for allegedly beating his 15-year-old daughter with a belt. Police also discovered 21 high-capacity magazine rounds during a raid of his home. He was released without bail in January 2023 and was scheduled to return to court in June—just weeks after Millings was killed.
Millings’ mother described her son as kind and helpful. “He’s hardworking. He loved to draw. He loved to sing, and he’s always helping me to do everything,” she told the Daily News at the time. “I’m in shock … confused.”
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