By Ivan Pereira
Investigators are looking for a killer who shot a 29-year-old man outside his home in South Jamaica early Wednesday morning.
Sanders Jones was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his stomach outside his house at 143rd Avenue and Linden Boulevard around 2:45 a.m., police said. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital but was pronounced dead when he arrived, according to investigators.
Sharone Vasquez, a neighbor who lived right next to the house, said she did not hear the gunshots but was awakened by the police when they arrived. She said Jones was with his girlfriend, who also lived at the residence.
“From what I hear, it wasn’t random,” Vasquez said.
No suspects were caught as of press time Tuesday and the investigation was ongoing, police said.
The shooting took place right next to Queens Academy High School, but no students or school staff were at the building at the time of the incident, Vasquez said.
This is 14th murder to take place in 2010 in the 113th Precinct, which has seen a surge in homicides this year, police statistics show. The precinct, which covers the neighborhoods of St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park, South Jamaica, Addisleigh Park and Locust Manor, saw nine slayings during the same period last year, according to NYPD statistics that were released last week.
Southeast Queens has seen a large amount of violence erupt at house parties during the summer, but Jones’ killing was not related to a party, police said.
The precinct has had a slight increase in overall crime this year, with 1,380 crimes reported in 2010, compared to 1,318 incidents reported during the same period last year, statistics showed.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, text their tips to 274637 then enter TIP577 or log on to 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.
