The ATM machine where a fight broke out today. (Matthew McDermott)
An irate Queens customer was killed in another episode of gas station violence early this morning, authorities said.
The 28-year-old man went to a Gulf gas station on Van Dam Street, near Review Avenue, shortly before 6 a.m., to use the ATM — but it wouldn’t work, cops said.
He started cursing, kicking the machine, and tried to pummel Jasjeet Walia, 28, according to a relative and cops. The store manager said he appeared intoxicated.
“He started kicking the machine out of anger. He was saying, ‘your gas station sucks, you suck’,” said Rajeet Walia, who is Jasjeet’s brother, and also an employee. “The guy was outside telling customers ‘don’t take gas from here.”
Walia said the man tried to hit his brother with two gas nozzles.
Jasjeet fought off the man and placed him in a chokehold, cops said.
“My brother held him down and told me, ‘I don’t want this guy to escape, I already called the cops,’” said Rajeet.
Chris Reese, 44, a private investigator, said a passerby tried to help out, and tied together the man’s hands. “The guy was already down when the passerby tied his hands,” said Reese.
When EMS arrived, the man was unresponsive — and they took him to Elmhurst General Hospital, where he died.
Police are questioning the worker, but it was not immediately clear if charges will be filed.
Owner Jerveil Singh said surveillance camera shows the customer instigating a fight, and plans to start self-service at the station after midnight because of the violent incident. “It’s getting dangerous,” he said. “I don’t want to get these calls at night.”