Photo Courtesy of Google
The victim, Zhiwen Yan, was shot at 67th Drive and 108th Street.
By Forum Staff
A Briarwood man has been indicted in the April shooting death of a 45-year-old Chinese food restaurant delivery worker, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.
Glenn Hirsch, 51, was arraigned on Thursday on a 10-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal mischief, menacing, and stalking.
According to the charges, at approximately 9:30 p.m., on Nov. 30, 2021, Hirsch placed an order for Chinese food at the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant on Queens Boulevard. Hirsch asked for extra duck sauce packets, which he was given. Hirsch became irate, nonetheless, and argued with workers at the eatery. Hirsch then insisted he get a refund because he wanted to return the food. But the worker refused to take the order back and Hirsch then called police.
A short time later, the police arrived at the restaurant and the worker explained that due to COVID the restaurant could not accept the returned food. Hirsch stormed out of the restaurant and in the months that followed, he allegedly routinely threatened and harassed the restaurant’s personnel.
According to the charges, on Dec. 16, 2021, the victim, Zhiwen Yan, walked outside the restaurant and saw Hirsch allegedly using a knife to damage a restaurant worker’s car that was parked outside the eatery. Hirsch, who was wearing a black surgical mask, allegedly threatened the workers, including Yan. Hirsch allegedly said, “I have a gun” and added “be careful, this is the last time I’m going to tell you.” Three restaurant workers followed and confronted Hirsch near his car. One of them pulled down the black mask and the others took pictures of Hirsch’s face with their cell phones, as well as the license plate on Hirsch’s gray Lexus SUV.
On Jan. 28, 2022, following a snowfall, one of the workers was outside shoveling snow just before 10 p.m. when Hirsch showed up and approached. Hirsch allegedly pointed a black firearm at the man and threatened him, saying, “How’s your car? Remember me? I will kill your entire family.” The man then rushed back inside the restaurant to call the police. When he went back outside, Hirsch was gone but the tires on a worker’s car were slashed.
On April 30, 2022, according to the charges, Hirsch was observed on surveillance video footage allegedly driving by the Great Wall restaurant after dropping his wife at work. Between approximately 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Hirsch passed by the Queens Boulevard restaurant seven times. Just before 9:30 p.m., Yan left the restaurant on his scooter to make a delivery. Hirsch, allegedly driving in the vicinity, managed to get behind the scooter and followed him to an address on 108th Street.
Yan dropped off the food order and returned to the scooter and rode away. He then stopped at a red light at 67th Drive and 108th Street. At that point, Hirsch approached the victim on foot. Yan recognized Hirsch and started to back away on the scooter. But in that moment, Hirsch allegedly fired a single shot. The bullet ripped into Yan’s chest; he fell to the ground and died as a result of the single gunshot wound.
Hirsch is allegedly seen running back to his SUV and then driving away from the scene to his wife’s apartment, also in Briarwood. Hirsch parked his car and entered the building.
If convicted, Hirsch faces 29 2/3 to 44 years to life in prison.
