Isaiah Stokes, the 45-year-old actor known for his roles in Law & Order and Rescue Me, has been convicted of second-degree murder for the shooting death of Tyrone Jones in 2021.
Stokes, who has also pursued a career in music under the name I$AIAH, now faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The conviction follows a two-week jury trial, which concluded on February 27, 2025. The jury found Stokes guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
He had been arrested for the murder on July 16, 2021, six months after the tragic shooting.
The crime was described by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz as “calculated” and driven by revenge. According to Katz, Stokes had been angered after being ejected from a 2020 birthday party for inappropriate behavior.
Stokes, stewing over the incident, tracked Jones’ movements by placing a GPS device on his car. On the night of the murder, Stokes located Jones in his parked Jeep Cherokee on Linden Boulevard. Stokes then ruthlessly shot him 11 times, killing Jones at the scene.
Jones, 37, was struck multiple times in the head and chest. He was declared dead on arrival, and Stokes was charged after a thorough investigation by the NYPD and prosecutors.
The crime highlights the tragic intersection of gun violence and personal vendettas.
READ ALSO: Yung Filly Pleads Not Guilty to Rape Charges After Alleged Attack in Australia
Stokes, who had a relatively quiet career after his acting success in the early 2000s, had not been in the public eye for several years. His acting credits include appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Boardwalk Empire.
His last acting role was in 2019’s Power, but he also continued his music career, releasing the track “Persona of a Hustler” in 2023.
Stokes’ sentencing will take place on March 21st, and he remains incarcerated at Rikers Island as he awaits his punishment.
