Suspect charged in Lunar New Year killing

A 21-year-old Flushing man has been charged with the Lunar New Year slaying of a 40-year-old restaurant deliveryman who was returning home after a party.
According to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Kendall Walker fatally stabbed Zhang Hong Qui, who had left a party on nearby Elder Avenue in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 18.
“The victim was returning home after leaving a celebration in Flushing, marking the beginning of the Chinese New Year. The defendant’s alleged actions are outrageous and mindless and demonstrate the lethal consequences of senseless violence,” Brown said.
Although Walker was first believed to have been walking with two other men when the incident occurred, police now believe that the other men were not involved in the stabbing. In addition, the stabbing is not believed to be a hate crime, a law enforcement source said.
On Saturday, March 3 - exactly two weeks after Qui’s death - 50 mourners filled the viewing room at the Central Funeral Home on 41st Avenue in Flushing to bid farewell to the hard-working man, whom they said came to the United States to make money for his wife and daughter back home in China.
“He called home every day,” said his mourning widow, Gui Ping Xia. “We spoke just before he went to the celebration. The last thing he said to me was something he learned in English, ‘Happy New Year!’ ”
Xia expressed the grief of her husband’s family at the loss of their only son, and sorrow that the couple’s daughter could not be at the funeral.
During her eulogy, Xia thanked the community for its outpouring of support, as well as that from the three New York Police Department (NYPD) detectives in attendance, City Councilmember John Liu and Congressmember Gary Ackerman, who interceded on her behalf to obtain a non-immigrant visa so she could attend the funeral.
Immediately after the funeral, Detective Kisoo Kim, the Community Affairs and Crime Prevention Officer at the 109th Precinct, told The Queens Courier, “I don’t want to tip off those guys as to what we know, but we’re getting good information and I believe we’ll get them.” The suspect, Walker, was last seen fleeing south on Colden Street after stabbing Qui and robbing him of a few personal items including his cherished cell phone.
Walker was arrested by detectives of the 114th Precinct in Astoria at 9:15 p.m. on Monday, March 5.
At a press conference following the arrest, Xia, who works as a chemist in a factory, once again expressed thanks to the community, officials and police.
“Ever since I arrived here, I have received much support and I am touched by the love and care.”
When asked if she was satisfied with the arrest and informed that the maximum penalty for second degree murder in New York State is a prison sentence of 25 years to life, she became visibly distraught, saying, “He stabbed my husband five times. He destroyed my family and left our daughter without a father. I wish he would get the punishment we have in China.” Murderers are executed under Chinese law.
Earlier in the week, the Henan Chinese Association announced a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers. According to Association President David Su, they also collected $8,000 to help with funeral and transportation costs. Qui’s remains have been cremated, and will be brought back to China by his widow.
Donations may be sent to the association at their offices at 728 Meeker Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11222, designating the “Fund for Zhang Hong Qui.”