A 43-year-old man was tied up and fatally shot in the head before his body was burned in his second-floor apartment in Queens Saturday, sources said.
Residents fled the burning building at 115-18 95 Ave. in South Richmond Hill after calling 911 to report the fire around 2:35 a.m., police and firefighters said. One frantic neighbor banged on doors to notify others of the blaze, witnesses said.
“It started as a little fire and spread through other apartments,” said Betsie Torres, 36, who lives across the street. “It was crazy. I’m a little worried because there’s children here.”
The victim was found in his bed, his feet tied with electrical cord and shoulders bound with speaker wire, sources said. He was shot once execution-style in the head, they said.
Police said they did not have a motive and did not have any suspects in the killing.
Residents who knew the victim described him as a “quiet, nice man” and said they were afraid a killer could be walking among them.
“[The victim] doesn’t cause any trouble,” said Phagoo Kritimati, 40, who works in a nearby deli. “Now, we’re a little worried.”
Her husband, Seonarine Kritimati, chimed in: “He would be the last guy in the world to cause trouble.”
The building was evacuated, but electricity was slated to be restored today.