A tragic shooting unfolded Friday afternoon in Queens, leaving a man dead shortly after attending a funeral service, according to the New York Police Department.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. outside Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, a well-known church located at Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue in the Jamaica neighborhood. Authorities said the victim, 49-year-old Richard Carter of Valley Stream, was shot multiple times in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.
Carter was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.
Witnesses described a chaotic and emotional scene. Eric Fairchild, a driver transporting family members for the funeral, said he heard a rapid series of gunshots while sitting in his limousine.
“I heard five or six shots in a row,” he recalled. “When I got out, I saw a man lying on the ground near the hearse. It was shocking.”
Mourners quickly realized that Carter was connected to the funeral, reportedly a close friend of the deceased. The sudden violence left attendees shaken, turning a moment of grief into one of fear and confusion.
Police said the suspect, described as a man wearing a colorful jacket, fled the scene on a Citi Bike. Authorities continue to search for the suspect as the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not yet released further details about a possible motive.
