Man Shot And Killed During Queens Deli Robbery
QUEENS, N.Y. (CBS 2/1010 WINS) -- An unknown suspect shot and killed a man during an armed robbery on Saturday night at a Queens deli, police said.
Police received a 911 call of a gun point robbery at 11:55 p.m. at the Lucky Deli located 220-23 Merrick Blvd. in the Laurelton area, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports.
LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports
When responding officers arrived, they found Juan Torres, 54, of Brooklyn, unconscious and unresponsive with a gun shot wound to the head. EMS pronounced Torres dead on the scene.
The suspect is described as a black male in his late 30s to early 40s, according to police. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt.
Donovan Richards, Chief of Staff for Councilman James Sanders, said Laurelton has seen a spike in violent robberies in recent months.
"This is sad. This is not the first store that in this neighborhood that has been robbed. We've had one store get robbed twice in one night," Richards said. "Not the only family that has gone through this. This is very sad in one sense because you've seen your family member lost once and now you a second one you have to bury due to this very violence."
Longtime customer Lina Jermott left a candle at the deli to honor Torres.
"He was a nice guy. He was quiet. They helped the neighborhood. Anybody needed anything on credit or anything, they'll give it to them," Jermott said. "He never really conversed with you. He stood behind the deli and made the sandwiches. He didn't speak that much English. His brother ran the business for him."
This was second Torres family member to be shot and killed in the same deli in 10 years. Torres' cousin was killed in 2002.
Police are asking anyone with information in regards to this homicide to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
