By Ivan Pereira
The family and friends of a 25-year-old man who was gunned down early Sunday morning in Jamaica are trying to piece together why someone would target and lure him to his death when he had no apparent enemies.
Police responded to a 911 phone call that reported gunshots were fired at Sutphin Boulevard and 107th Avenue around 4 a.m. When they arrived at the scene, they found Brown Lucien on the ground with more than a dozen gunshots to his body, according to the authorities.
He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital but was declared dead when he arrived, police said.
Lucien lived a block from the crime scene with his family but went to the corner after he got a call from someone who asked him to come there, according to his siblings.
“We don’t know who called him out,” said the victim’s older half-brother Junior Joseph, 31. “It’s messed up.”
Police did not name any suspects and had not made any arrests as of press time Tuesday. A NYPD mobile surveillance unit was one block north of the crime scene, but it was not known if the murder was videotaped.
Several nearby residents said they were awakened up by the gunshots but did not see the shooter. Trina Thompson, who lived near the corner and was friends with the victim, said she was shocked when she saw Lucien’s body surrounded by the bullet shells.
“He was such a good guy and would talk to everyone all the time,” she said.
Lucien’s siblings agreed and said they could not think of anyone who would want to harm him. He had 11 siblings and was the son of Haitian immigrants, according to his brother Saul Joseph.
“He was a happy dude,” he said. “They used to call him ‘Brown the Clown’ because he was always joking around.”
Saul said his sibling was looking to go back to school and move out of the neighborhood for a chance at a better life.
Lucien’s homicide took place nearly 36 hours after an unidentified man was shot to death on the street in South Jamaica, police said. No arrests have been made in that case either, police said.
As word spread about his death, Lucien’s friends gathered at his family’s house to help the family deal with their loss. Niecey Jarrels, 32, of Brooklyn, urged anyone who had information to help investigators and bring justice to Lucien’s kin.
“This is senseless,” she said. “If I hear anything, I’m definitely going to report it.”
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 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.
