Oct. 18, 2023 By Robert Pozarycki
A Queens man is fighting for his life after being shot during an apparent home invasion robbery early on Wednesday morning.
Police are looking for as many as eight masked marauders involved in the dramatic pre-dawn caper, which took place at about 5:39 a.m. on Oct. 18 on the 13800 block of 62nd Avenue in Flushing.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police determined that the band of perpetrators arrived at the home, and one of them tried to get in conventionally through the front door. When that effort failed, cops said, the invader smashed open the front window and began to climb inside.
The shattered front window was clearly visible to eyewitness on the street Wednesday morning as detectives combed the area for evidence.
The shattered front window of the Flushing, Queens home where a man was shot during an apparent robbery just before dawn on Oct. 18, 2023.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Law enforcement sources said the victim, a 31-year-old man, awoke to the shattering glass, discovered the home invader, and attempted to shove him back out the window.
In turn, police reported, one of the suspects outside the residence pulled out a gun and open fire — striking the 31-year-old man in the left side of his chest, and his left elbow.
The group of robbers managed to seize an iPhone at $800 in cash from the residence, authorities noted. They then fled the scene, with four crooks jumping inside a dark-colored SUV of an unknown make and model, and the other four escaping on foot.
EMS rushed the victim to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Police believe the victim is one of six adults residing at the location. No other injuries were reported.
A detective on the stoop of the Queens home where a man was shot and critically injured during an apparent robbery on Oct. 18, 2023.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
A crime scene unit member dusts the shattered window for fingerprints.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Officers from the 109th Precinct responded to the incident. Year-to-date, the command reported just 6 shootings through Oct. 15, one more than the total reported at the same point in 2022, according to the most recent CompStat report. Additionally, the 109th Precinct has seen a 10.9% increase in robberies this year, with 254 incidents, up from the 229 tallied at the same point last year.
So far, no arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.