Photo Courtesy of Google
Yan was gunned down around 9:30 p.m. Saturday after making a delivery in the vicinity of 108th Street and 67th Drive.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A widely beloved Chinese food deliveryman was murdered on the job in Forest Hills Saturday night—and the borough Zhiwen Yan and his family called home has turned out in droves to support them in this time of unimaginable grief.
Yan, 45, was gunned down around 9:30 p.m. while on his scooter after making a delivery in the vicinity of 108th Street and 67th Drive. He worked for the Great Wall restaurant on Queens Boulevard.
Yan, who lived in Middle Village with his wife, Kunying Zhao, and their three children, reportedly was a fixture in both communities, quick to flash a smile and refer to all customers as “my friend.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. The investigation is ongoing.
Yan’s wife set up a GoFundMe page on Monday. In just 48 hours the site garnered more than $150,000.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Yan worked for the Great Wall restaurant on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills.
Several community leaders and elected officials have visited Kunying Zhao in Middle Village to offer condolences.
“This is a terrible and horrific tragedy and my heart aches for the victim’s loved ones,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing). “This delivery worker was working hard, trying to earn a living to support his family when he was senselessly shot and killed. The incident underscores the need to combat gun violence throughout our city, and am confident that the perpetrator will be apprehended. The person responsible must face justice. My office will remain in touch with the 112th Precinct, and I will continue to be there for the family to provide any assistance they need.”
State Sen. Joe Addabb, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) added, “My condolences go out to the family and friends of Zhiwen Yan, who was shot and killed on Saturday evening while doing his job. Mr. Yan was well known in Forest Hills where he worked as a delivery driver and lived in Middle Village. Mr. Yan was a shining example of the American Dream, emigrating from China and working hard to provide a better life for his family. Food delivery drivers already have a tough job, and no one should have to fear being shot at while they are working. Elected officials need to work in tandem with the NYPD and local communities in order to end gun violence on our streets, and I vow to continue in this endeavor so no family will have to go through what the Yan family is currently facing.”
