Courtesy of NYPD
Victim Daryus Clarke, 20, was shot once in the chest on Saturday while working at The Plug smoke shop at Jamaica Avenue and 110th Street.
By Michael V. Cusenza
An employee of a Richmond Hill smoke shop was shot and killed Saturday afternoon as three men robbed the Jamaica Avenue business, according to police and published reports.
Daryus Clarke, 20, was shot once in the chest while working at The Plug smoke shop at Jamaica Avenue and 110th Street. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
According to cops, three men entered the shop shortly after noon. They swiped $100 from the register and grabbed approximately $50 in goods before blasting Clarke and fleeing in a white four-door vehicle.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
“We need to crack down on illegal smoke shops in this city and give more resources to our NYPD and sheriffs who desperately need them,” Sen. Addabbo said.
In a statement released Saturday evening, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) claimed that The Plug is an illegal establishment.
“We cannot stand on the sidelines just watching the further infiltration of these illegal smoke shops and the unwanted criminal acts they bring into our communities,” Addabbo added. “We need to crack down on illegal smoke shops in this city and give more resources to our NYPD and sheriffs who desperately need them. I will continue to work on this issue and support legislation to end illegal smoke shop activity throughout our city.”
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) tweeted, “This AM, there was a tragic homicide resulting from a robbery at Plug Smoke Shop in Richmond Hill. I have zero tolerance for such heinous criminal acts in my district. I am calling for a thorough investigation & for the criminals to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. The investigation is ongoing.
