By Ivan Pereira
A 22-year-old man was killed in a St. Albans street last Thursday night and neighbors say the stranger to their community was targeted in a drive-by shooting.
Police discovered Anthony Hilton’s body at the corner of Lucas Street and 120th Road around 9:30 p.m. after they received a 911 phone call about gunshots fired, the authorities said.
A man who lived on the block for 20 years and only wished to be identified as Stephen said he was in his backyard when the incident took place.
“I heard three shots,” he said. “At first I thought it was firecrackers, and then I heard the screaming and came out.”
Hilton, who lived 16 blocks away from the spot on 205th Street, was shot in the torso and neck and was rushed to Queens Hospital Center, but was pronounced dead at the medical center, police said.
No suspects were named as of press time and no arrests had been made.
DeChaun Brabhan, 18, Stephen’s neighbor, returned home after the shooting and saw that the victim was wearing a shirt that identified him as a staff member at the Baisley Houses public housing project.
“He definitely did not live around here,” Brabhan said.
Stephen agreed and added that he thinks Hilton was targeted. He said the police told him this was part of a drive-by shooting and the shooters got away immediately in their car.
The homeowner has high-end security cameras that look directly at the corner where the shooting took place, but he said since he did not have them on night vision mode, he could not get a good image to help the authorities.
Investigators closed down 120th Road for three blocks as they searched for evidence, according to Stephen.
“No one got any sleep last night. Not even the birds,” he said.
Friends gathered on the block near Hilton’s 205th Street home, but were too distraught to comment about his death.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), 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.
