By Rebecca Henely
Police were still searching for suspects in two separate murders that occurred in southeast Queens over the weekend, but neither of the men who were shot had been identified by the authorities.
On Saturday in the early morning hours, a 24-year-old man was shot in front of a house on Galway Avenue near Mayville Street in St. Albans, police said. The man, who was discovered at around 4:15 a.m. with bullet wounds in his arm, leg and torso, was taken to Jamaica Hospital by EMS and died there, police said.
The next day a 21-year-old man was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head at 1:30 p.m. in a South Jamaica house on 171st Place near 107th Avenue, police said.
Branth Walter, 24, who was at the scene Sunday, identified the victim as his younger brother, Dennis Walter. He said his brother regularly stayed at the house, but he knew little of the crime.
“He was my little brother. That’s all I know, man,” Branth Walter said.
The NYPD said the investigation into both slayings was ongoing. There were no arrests as of press time Tuesday evening and the names of the victims had not been released.
Police officers from the 113th Precinct were removing large shell casings in front of the St. Albans’ house Saturday morning as well as investigating a big bullet hole in a red Acura TSX parked in front of the property. Other evidence collected included a New York Mets baseball cap and what looked like a white hoodie.
Most neighbors said they had been asleep and heard little at the time of the shooting, but one man who lived a block east on Galway said he heard 12 shots.
“When I got out, I saw a lot of flashing lights,” he said.
A woman who lives in the St. Albans house said she knew nothing of the incident and declined to comment further.
Family, residents and friends gathered at 171st Place Sunday afternoon as 103rd Precinct officers investigated the crime scene.
“He’s just a good dude,” said one woman who identified herself as a friend of Dennis Walter.
An area resident described the block where Dennis Walter died as one where drugs were often sold and said she wanted more police officers to patrol the area.
The neighboring 113th Precinct had reported eight homicides so far this year as of May 13, police said. The precinct encompasses Rochdale, Addisleigh Park and parts of South Jamaica and St. Albans.
The 103rd Precinct had recorded three homicides as of May 13, according to police statistics. The precinct encompasses Jamaica, Hollis and parts of South Jamaica and St. Albans.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
