Gunman on scooter charged with murder after series of NYC shootings that killed 86-year-old man and wounded 3 others
A suspect has been charged after an 86-year-old New York City man was fatally shot and at least three others were wounded by a man on a scooter who police say was shooting randomly in Queens on Saturday.
Thomas Abreu, 25, was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon, CBS New York reported, citing police. Chief Joseph Kenny of the New York Police Department confirmed the suspect was in custody during a news conference over the weekend, but did not share details about Abreu at that time.
The shootings began around 11:10 a.m., when a 21-year-old Hispanic man was shot in the shoulder, Kenny said. Shortly after, the 86-year-old, identified as Hamod Saeidi, of Queens, was shot in the back in the Richmond Hill area. He was later pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital. The gunman also shot another Hispanic man, 44, in the face. The victim was rushed to the hospital and was in critical condition.
About a mile away and less than 10 minutes later, a 63-year-old man was shot in the shoulder and taken to a nearby hospital, where police said he was listed in serious but stable condition. The 21-year-old victim's condition was also stable, according to CBS New York.
Police said the suspect was traveling on an illegal scooter without a license plate. He was arrested around 1 p.m. without incident. Police said he was carrying a 9-mm pistol with an extended magazine.
Police said the shootings appeared to be random, and video shows that the suspect was not targeting or following anyone.
The man who died was later identified as Hamod Saeidi, a father of six who was well known and loved in the city's Yemeni community, CBS New York reported.
"My heart is broken and my family, all devastated ... We couldn't believe what's happening," said Ahmed Alsaedi, the victim's son.