NYPD Hunts Suspect After Man Fatally Shot Outside Queens Church

Shots were fired outside Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens, on Friday afternoon, killing a 49-year-old man. Police said the shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. at Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue.

The victim was identified as Richard Carter, 49, of Valley Stream, New York. He had been attending a funeral at the church when gunfire broke out. Carter was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said the shooting appeared to be targeted.

A funeral service had just ended, and about 25 mourners were walking out of the church when the shooting began. One witness said the shots rang out just as the service was ending and the crowd was leaving.

A limousine driver, Eric Fairchild, was parked behind the hearse, waiting for the family to exit. He said he suddenly heard gunfire.

“I was on my way inside the church and I was taking my coat off to throw inside the limo - and soon as I took my coat I heard pow! Pow, pow, pow, pow! I was like what the heck? And I looked and I looked at the hearse and I saw a guy laying on the ground bouncing from side to side,” Fairchild said.

He looked toward the hearse and saw a man lying on the ground.

“And I was like oh my God! I ran behind the limo to go inside the church,” he said as he ran behind his vehicle for cover.

Fairchild said his heart was “pounding” and that he worried a stray bullet might hit someone nearby.

"My heart was pounding because of the fact I'm saying I hope a stray bullet doesn't come my way…" he added.

Police said the suspect fled the scene on a Citi Bike and headed north on 170th Street. He was last seen wearing a DKNY jacket, a colorful sweatshirt, and bright orange sneakers. Police described him as a man wearing a “colorful jacket”. So far, no arrest has been made, and the shooter remains at large.

Investigators have not said whether Carter was the intended target or what led to the shooting.

CBS News reported that NYPD detectives are treating the case as a homicide. Police have asked anyone with information to come forward. The case remains open as officers continue searching for the suspect.

Police have not provided a motive or additional details about why the shooting happened. Detectives are reviewing evidence and surveillance video from around the church. The case an open homicide investigation. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The shooting has left people in Jamaica shaken. The NYPD said officers will continue working to find the cyclist who fled the scene. Tips can be reported anonymously. Authorities continue searching for clues and hope to make an arrest.