By Ivan Pereira
Two people were shot to death inside their car Thursday night in a south Jamaica neighborhood that residents say has been plagued with crime.
Willie Cobb, 28, and an unidentified woman were found killed inside a minivan just six blocks from his home on 159th Street and 106th Avenue around 6:30 p.m., police said.
The Ford Windstar crashed into a brick wall and fence outside a home at 153rd Street and 106th Avenue after the suspect fired into the vehicle, scaring neighbors on the block.
“It’s South Jamaica, what do you expect?” said the owner of the house where the van crashed, who asked not to be identified. “I just want to get out of here.”
Cobb and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene and the shooter fled, according to police.
No suspects were named or caught as of Friday morning, and the investigation was ongoing, police said.
Cobb’s vehicle had South Carolina plates, according to neighbors, and they added that they had not seen him before in their neighborhood. One resident, who also asked not to be identified, said the block has taken a turn for the worse with high crime and prostitution.
“This is a lousy neighborhood,” she said. “You have to see all the women coming here from out of town, soliciting themselves.”
The neighbor quickly added that she did not know if prostitution had anything to do with the shooting. Police would not comment about the crime in the area.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), text their tips to 274637 (crimes) then enter TIP577 or log onto www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All reports will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
