Man, 74, shot and killed in possible drug-related hit in East Village: sources

EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11) — A masked gunman opened fire in an East Village park, killing a 74-year-old man and injuring another in a possible drug-related incident Friday morning, according to police and sources.

The suspect allegedly shot the 74-year-old man and another man, 44, in the back in Tompkins Sqaure Park near East Seventh Street and Avenue A at around 9:45 a.m., according to the NYPD. Sources said the men were targeted in a possible drug-related dispute.

The victims were rushed to the hospital where the 74-year-old man died, police said. The younger man is in critical condition, as of Friday afternoon.

One of the men stumbled into a nearby deli, where he collapsed, sources said. The store workers tried to help him before calling 911.

Both victims have extensive criminal records with more than 30 arrests between the two of them.

Surveillance video showed the gunman wearing all black minutes before he shot the two victims, police sources said.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org , downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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