Man arrested in fatal bodega shooting

A 29-year-old man is awaiting arraignment on second-degree murder charges in connection with the October 23 shooting death of a bodega clerk who had come to his brother’s aid during a robbery. The defendant is charged with shooting the clerk once in the head and then fleeing.
Shawn Forde, 29, of 229th Street in Springfield Gardens, was awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, Forde entered the Lucky Grocery & Deli, located at 220-26 Merrick Boulevard, sometime before 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 23. It is alleged that, at gunpoint, Forde grabbed the owner, whose name is being withheld, by the shirt and, pressing his head to the counter, demanded money. The owner allegedly gave Forde money from the cash register.
At some point the owner’s brother, Juan Torres, 54, who worked at the bodega, heard the commotion and came to his brother’s aid, approaching the defendant from behind. As Torres approached, the defendant turned around and shot him once in the face, killing him, and then fled the premises.