An individual zooming around on a scooter embarked on a grim chain of indiscriminate shootings across the neighborhoods of Queens and Brooklyn, as per police statements. The victim count, unfortunately, included a fatality, an 86-year-old gentleman, along with three other injured parties.
Police authorities managed to apprehend the suspect in question, identified as 25-year-old Thomas Abreu. On Sunday, he found himself facing an ensemble of grave accusations including murder, attempted murder, and being involved in illegal weapon possession.
The enforcement officers successfully seized a 9mm handgun equipped with an extended magazine from Abreu, along with the scooter he used during his violent spree. They expressed the ambiguity surrounding the shooter’s motives and hinted at their seemingly random nature.
Analyzing the erratic behavior captured in video footage, law enforcement officials noted Abreu did not evidently target or shadow anyone in particular. Instead, he was observed to be haphazardly spreading terror while journeying upon his scooter.
The series of unfortunate incidents initiated at approximately 11:10 a.m. An unsuspecting 21-year-old man, loitering near the junction of Ashford Street and Arlington Avenue in Brooklyn, was shot at his shoulder by an anonymous entity riding a scooter.
Following the attack, the wounded youth was immediately taken to the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. His stable health condition upon arrival and promising prognosis led the authorities to believe he would survive the gunshot injury.
Just a mere span of seventeen minutes later, the second incident unfolded. Hamoo Saeidi, an 86-year-old resident, was discovered bearing the mark of a bullet on his back just outside 108-19 Jamaica Avenue in the Richmond Hill district of Queens.
Saeidi was hurried to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center post-discovery. Sadly, his wounds proved fatal as he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, leaving the neighborhood reeling in shock and grief over the tragic loss.
It was soon after this incident that yet another shocking episode took place in Queens. Eyewitness reports detailed a horrifying scene where a man on a scooter was sighted discharging his firearm aimlessly into a crowd near 108th Street and Jamaica Avenue. Miraculously, no one suffered harm.
About 11:35 a.m., another ambiguous act of violence took place at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and 126th Street. A 44-year-old man found himself at the receiving end of a bullet, injuring him severely in the face.
Upon reporting the incident, the victim was quickly transported to the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. His critical condition made his survival uncertain, enveloping his family and the local community in fear and concern.
Scant moments later in the vicinity of Jamaica Avenue and 134th Street, another man, aged 63, was shot in his right shoulder. This victim was also rushed to the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Thankfully, he was reported to be in a stable condition.
As if the terror wasn’t enough, a sixth shooting incident was later discovered by the police. Around 11:36 p.m., a middle-aged man, approximately 40 years old, reported a shooting while at the crossroads of Jamaica Avenue and 131 Street. Fortunately, he remained unscathed amid the incident.
Bolstered by an image of the suspect, law enforcement officers from NYPD went on a vigilant hunt across Queens. NYPD Acting Police Commissioner Edward Caban appreciated the officers for their prompt action, their attention to detail led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspect just past 1 p.m.
Arresting Abreu and seizing the 9mm pistol points towards the diligent work by law enforcement. The brave actions of the NYPD staff, in this case, underline their commitment to curb violence and protect the public. Although Abreu was reported to have only a singular prior arrest related to a traffic violation, his current charges are of a much graver nature.
