NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The NYPD has charged a Brooklyn man with murder and attempted murder in connection with a series of shootings that took place on Saturday, resulting in the death of an 86-year-old and injuries to three other men. The incidents involved six apparently random shootings in Brooklyn and Queens, as reported by the police.
Thomas Abreu, 25, the alleged gunman in the series of shootings, was arrested by the police on Saturday, July 8. Officers recognized him based on an image pulled from video footage, which was distributed to law enforcement. Additionally, the police seized a scooter and a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine during the arrest.
Who is Thomas Abreu?
Thomas Abreu is a 25-year-old man who was allegedly involved in a series of shootings in Brooklyn and Queens. Abreu was arraigned on Monday through closed circuit TV from his hospital bed in Queens, where he was being held without bail. During the arraignment, Abreu reportedly admitted to riding around Brooklyn and Queens while in possession of a 9mm gun, but claimed that it did not belong to him. "I was jumped before and someone dropped a bag and when I looked there was a gun and I took it and I kept it since," he claimed, per ABC7.
Abreu said, "I think they want to kill me or murder. Everybody says that I'm innocent. That's the best problem that there is. I need my innocence first of all. I'm told that I'm innocent. It's the truth. I was not free but everybody tells me I'm innocent."
What are the charges against Thomas Abreu?
Abreu is facing numerous charges following a series of random shootings while riding a scooter. He has been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Additionally, Abreu has been charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with two other incidents - firing shots at a group of people near 108 Street and Jamaica Avenue, as well as at a 40-year-old man approximately four miles away.
Abreu allegedly shot 4 people, including a 21-year-old male, a 63-year-old male, a 44-year-old male, and an 86-year-old male. The 21-year-old and 63-year-old victims were shot in the shoulder and are currently in stable condition. The 44-year-old victim, who was shot in the face, was initially believed to be in critical condition, and updates on his condition are awaited.
Tragically, the 86-year-old, Hamod Saeidi, from Queens, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Saeidi was in front of a nail salon on Jamaica Avenue near 109th Street in Queens when he was shot by Abreu. The single shot struck him in the back, causing the fatal injury. Saeidi's son Alsaedi told CBS News, "My heart is broken and my family, all devastated. We couldn't believe what's happening. We all work hard. We never have any problem, and look what happened to him. He ended up getting killed for no reason. I need justice. It's not only us. There are some other victims that are looking for justice."
What was the motive behind the shooting?
Police have not yet disclosed specific information regarding the suspect's motive, but they believe that the shootings were carried out randomly. Joseph Kenny, the Assistant Chief of the NYPD's Detective Bureau, told 1news, "We don’t know the motive. It seems that this is actually random. At this time, the video shows that he’s not targeting anybody, he’s not following anybody. As he’s driving on his scooter, he’s randomly shooting people."
