By Mark Hallum
The NYPD released the names of the two victims of last week’s East Elmhurst shootout that ensued from what cops believe was a love triangle.
A Yonkers police officer was the lone survivor of the Sept. 21 fatal confrontation, according to authorities. Reagan Smith, 31, and Nelson Giron, 47 died as a result of the incident.
Happening just two blocks from entrance to Rikers Island, police said a call came in at around 6 a.m. from Smith who told 911 operators “I’ve been shot by my boyfriend,” and asked to send the police, according to Carlos Nieves of DCPI.
Smith then went silent while loud noises could still be heard over the phone line, police said.
Cops from the 114th Precinct arrived at the scene to the sound of up to 10 shots being fired from within Smith’s second floor apartment at 19-54 77th St., NYPD said, and upon entering the building, officers discovered Smith dead, having been shot twice in the head, while Giron was also found dead from gunshot wounds, which were possibly self-inflicted, according to authorities.
The serial numbers on the firearm found near Giron’s body matched those belonging to the 42-year-old Yonkers police officer, whose name has not been released by law enforcement officials as of Wednesday, according to DCPI.
“What we do believe is that we have three individuals — two are romantically involved and one possibly an ex-boyfriend and one a current boyfriend,” Nieves said.
The off-duty officer was hospitalized at Elmhurst General Hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and several stab wounds to the back which may have been inflicted by a screwdriver, police said. The officer underwent surgery and is expected to survive.
According to police, at least two of the people involved in the confrontation were former military members, but it is not clear whether or not that was a factor in the conflict.
Issues had been brewing between the three individuals for some time, however.
NYPD said the Monday prior to the incident, neighbors had called 911 regarding multiple incidents, one which involved a car being keyed.
Smith’s family is attempting to raise $28,838 through a GoFundMe to have the remains of the 14-year U.S. Armed Forces veteran transported to her home state of Iowa. Smith moved to Queens a decade ago, according to the GoFundMe post which called the incident a “horrific domestic violence crime.”
Police believe she was romantically involve with Nelson Giron, 47, who was also found dead.
The investigation was ongoing.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
