Did love triangle result in murder, police standoff?

(Bronxdale - WABC, November 6, 2007) (WABC) -- An off-duty corrections officer was being questioned for her role in a standoff involving one of her two boyfriends, who is suspected of murdering the other last night in Queens.

The suspected gunman, Marlon Sanders, was wanted in connection with the killing of 37-year-old Jamal Leavy in the South Jamaica section of Queens last night.

Police say Leavy was shot in the head in front of 109-42 142nd Street just after 6 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers searching for Sanders went to Apartment 6C of 2445 Williamsbridge Road in the Bronxdale section of the Bronx just after 4 a.m. Tuesday morning.

When they arrived, the woman who lives in the apartment with two children would not let the officers in.

That prompted a standoff between police and the woman, an off-duty corrections officer identified as 29-year-old Shante Dalton.

Presuming Dalton was being held against her will, authorities called in hostage negotiators and closed local streets.

After a two hour standoff, both Dalton and Sanders were taken out of the sixth floor apartment.

They were taken to Queens for questioning, while Dalton's children, a 12-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl, were placed in the custody of child welfare authorities.

Detectives quizzed Sanders in the murder of Laevy, who they believe he killed as part of a love triangle with Dalton.

And they questioned Dalton for not letting them into her apartment this morning. They suspect she stalled because she was deliberately trying to hide Sanders.

Both Sanders and Leavy have prior arrest records.

Sanders served time at Rikers Island for previous crimes, and Leavy was recently released from prison after serving time for robbery.

Dalton joined the Corrections Department in 2005.

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