By Michael V. Cusenza
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Thomas Abreu has been charged with murder, attempted murder, assault and weapon possession in a Saturday morning shooting spree that killed an 86-year-old man and injured three others in Queens and Brooklyn.
Abreu, 25, of Brooklyn, is awaiting arraignment on a complaint charging him with murder in the second degree, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Abreu was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday after NYPD officers saw him at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue riding his scooter wearing a green shirt and fanny pack. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
According to the timeline of alleged events and the charges:
- On June 8, at approximately 11:10 a.m., Abreu was observed on video surveillance on Ashford Street and Arlington Avenue in Brooklyn driving a scooter and wearing a green shirt. He shot a pedestrian in the back.
- Approximately 16 minutes later, on 108th Street and Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, Abreu was again observed by video surveillance, and by an eyewitness, wearing a green shirt as well as a fanny pack on his shoulder. He approached 86-year-old Hamod Saeidi and shot him in the back. Saeidi was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
- Approximately one minute later, at the same location, Abreu fired at a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk. The shooting was again observed on video surveillance and by an eyewitness. The pedestrian was not injured.
- Moments later, video surveillance captured Abreu on 126th Street and Hillside Avenue. He pulled up next to a parked minivan and shot the driver once in the head. The victim was taken to the hospital.
- Abreu was also seen on video surveillance at approximately 11:36 a.m. at the intersection of 131st Street and Jamaica Avenue, in the same green shirt. He rode past someone else on a scooter and fired at him. The person was not injured.
- Approximately one minute later, Abreu was observed on video surveillance on 134th Street and Jamaica Avenue. He approached a pedestrian who was crossing the street and shot the victim in the shoulder. The victim was also taken to the hospital.
- Abreu was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. after NYPD officers saw him at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue riding his scooter wearing a green shirt and fanny pack. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
- Police recovered a pistol.
On Tuesday evening, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. organized a vigil on “Another day, another example of an everyday activity becoming a life-and-death endeavor in America. This time, it was a beloved senior right here in Richmond Hill who was killed for having the audacity to take a simple Saturday stroll through the community he called home for decades,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “Queens’ collective heart breaks for Mr. Saeidi’s family and friends, and we’re pray that our three neighbors wounded in this shooting spree make full physical, mental and emotional recoveries. Join us tonight as we uplift Richmond Hill and all those impacted by Saturday’s events.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
Elected officials, including Councilwoman Joann Ariola, at a press conference Saturday with NYPD brass.
“We’ve made significant progress as a city in reducing shooting incidents, addressing our mental health crisis and draining the tributaries that feed the river of gun violence our society has been swimming through,” added Borough President RICHARDS. “But Saturday’s shootings show us there is so much more to be done. Tonight, we come together to mourn, but also to recommit ourselves to the work ahead.”
After wounding a 21-year-old in Brooklyn minutes earlier, the alleged gunman riding an illegal scooter shot and killed Saeidi as he walked down Jamaica Avenue, callously ending the life of a cherished member of the Richmond Hill community. The suspect, who has since been charged with murder among other crimes, would go on to shoot a 44-year-old man in the head on Hillside Avenue and a 63-year-old man in the shoulder on Jamaica Avenue, seriously wounding both, before being apprehended, Richards noted.
“I applaud the 102nd Precinct, the NYPD and everyone involved in the swift apprehension of a shooter who shot five people in Brooklyn and Queens today,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said on Saturday. “Our prayers are with the families of the victims.”
“The streets of two boroughs were turned into scenes of terror as this defendant allegedly rode his scooter, shooting indiscriminately at pedestrians and others. Thank you to the NYPD for quickly apprehending the suspect. My office will hold him fully accountable and seek justice for the victims,” Katz said.
If convicted, Abreu faces 25 years to life in prison.
