Quantcast

No arrests after slaying of 41-year-old, police say

By Ivan Pereira

A violent murder that was committed over an alleged argument early Sunday morning left a close neighborhood in Jamaica shocked and frightened.

Kevin Macklin, a 41-year-old married father, was shot in the head outside his house near 112th Avenue and 114th Street shortly before 2 a.m., police said. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition, but pronounced dead a couple of hours later, according to police.

“This is terrible. Nothing like this happens around here,” said the victim's longtime neighbor, who refused to give her name.

Investigators said Macklin allegedly got into an argument outside his house with another man and that person later retaliated by shooting Macklin.

No arrests had been made in the shooting as of press time Tuesday, police said. The investigation was ongoing.

The victim's wife and several of his close relatives refused to comment about the shooting. As detectives notified them of his death, Macklin's kin broke down on the street and exchanged heated words with the police.

Macklin's neighbor, who said she had lived on the block for 30 years, said she and the other community residents were scared when the police arrived outside the house because the victim had lived there for a long time. She described him as quiet man who was always out with his children and would help around the neighborhood.

The neighbor said she remembered him most for the parties that he would through during summer with the other families on the block.

“He looked out for all of the kids on the block. He was a good father,” the neighbor said.

This is the sixth reported homicide this year in the 113th Precinct, which covers the St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park, South Jamaica, Addisleigh Park and Locust Manor neighborhoods, according to crime statistics. The stats, dated June 15, indicated that overall crime has risen 7.6 percent in the area compared to the same time in 2007.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.