By Steve Mosco
Police released surveillance video of the gun-toting thug who shot and killed an Upper West Side man in front of a Queensbridge bodega Saturday night.
Francisco Leal, 27, was found with a gunshot wound in his chest on the corner of 21st Street and 41st Avenue at about 9:30 p.m., according to the NYPD. The video released by the NYPD shows the gunman raising his hand in a firing motion, then turning and fleeing with an accomplice.
Leal was taken to Mount Sinai Queens in Astoria, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
No arrests had been made as of Wednesday night, according to a statement from the NYPD, which said the investigation is ongoing.
Outside the bodega, a cardboard box had been set up as a makeshift memorial for Leal by Sunday afternoon. Seven lit candles had been placed inside the box, which was inscribed with messages.
One was addressed “To my baby brother.”
Police said Leal had an arrest record that included burglary, possession of a controlled substance, grand larceny and witness intimidation. He had been on parole since November.
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
