Shot To Death Outside Richmond Hill Lounge
What started out as an apparent argument at a Richmond Hill nightclub early on Sunday morning, Jan. 6, led to an eruption of violence in which one man was fatally shot and another was stabbed in the leg, police reported.
Law enforcement sources said Kwasi Olatunji, 36, of Avenue K in Canarsie died after being shot multiple times in the chest by an unknown armed perpetrator outside the Flavor lounge at 117-03 Hillside Ave. just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
The shooter, who was described by police as an African-American male, was last seen heading on a Manhattan-bound J train at a nearby station.
A 27-year-old man was hospitalized after being stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle during the fracas; he is expected to make a recovery.
According to published reports, Olatunji and the stabbing victim became embroiled in a dispute with several unidentified individuals inside the lounge located off the corner of Hillside and Myrtle avenues.
Soon after the fight spilled out onto Hillside Avenue, it was reported, one of the combatants fired several shots which struck Olatunji in the torso.
Members of the 102nd Precinct and EMS units rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the incident.
Olatunji was taken by paramedics to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The stabbing victim was also to Jamaica Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Various police units canvassed the surrounding area, but despite their efforts, no immediate arrests were made in connection with the case.
The 102nd Precinct Detective Squad is conducting the ongoing investigation, police said.
Anyone with any information regarding the shooting and stabbing that could prove helpful is asked to call the 102nd Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-805-3211; all calls will be kept confidential.
