By: Laura Soukkavong
Manhattan, NY – Suspect sentenced in 2022 fatal shooting to 25-years to life in prison
Clarkson Wilson, 47, of Manhattan, received a sentence after a New York State Supreme Court jury found him guilty on Dec. 1, 2025. He was convicted of Second-Degree Murder and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree by a jury.
At trial, prosecutors established that Wilson and the victim, Imani Armstrong, had been in a relationship for six months before she attempted to end it. On Sept. 1, 2022, Wilson traveled by subway into Manhattan and exited near the IHOP restaurant on East 14th Street, where Armstrong worked.
Evidence in court reflected that Wilson remained in the area for nearly seven hours, waiting for Armstrong to finish her shift. As she left work that morning, he followed her eastbound for several blocks. Wilson changed his appearance by putting on a sweatshirt and approached Armstrong from behind and shot her at close range in the back of the head.
Wilson was then seen on surveillance fleeing the scene near the intersection of East 14th Street and Irving Place. Video evidence showed him again changing clothing in an apparent attempt to avoid detection before boarding a subway train back to Brooklyn.
During the sentence announcement, District Attorney Bragg stated that “while no prison term can undo the loss suffered by Armstrong’s family and loved ones, the outcome holds Wilson accountable” for what prosecutors described as a calculated and deliberate act of violence.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant DAs Tricia Phillips and Jonathan Horn of Trial Bureau 80, under the supervision of Chief of Trial Bureau 80, Siobhan Carty, and Executive Assistant District Attorney Lisa DelPizzo. Analysts Devery Kerr and Trial Preparation Assistant Steven Hendrickson also assisted in the prosecution.
The DA’s office credited the New York City Police Department for their investigative work, including the Manhattan South Homicide Squad and the 13th Precinct Detective Squad.