A Manhattan man was arrested and charged with the slaying of his beau in Queens, police sources said.
Lleuyel Garcia, 23, of Inwood, allegedly strangled Joseph Benzinger, 54, to death with a shirt Saturday night after an argument the two had inside of the Crown Motor Inn in Elmhurst, sources said.
After killing Benzinger, Garcia allegedly fled with the victim’s wallet and other possessions, sources said.
The two had known each other for several years, and it was not a random attack, sources added.
Police charged Garcia with second-degree murder, robbery and criminal possession of stolen property, as well as tampering with physical evidence.
Two other gay men had recently been murdered in Queens and Manhattan as well, leading to an investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, sources said.
But Garcia and Benzinger had known each other for several years, and it was not a random attack, sources added
Council Member Daniel Dromm, who is openly gay and represents Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, had voiced concern about the homicides. He praised the police today in making a quick arrest in Garcia’s killing.
“Despite the arrest, it is vitally important that we continue to remain vigiliant,” said Dromm. “The other murders committed against gay men remain unsolved, but I am hopeful that the NYPD will capture the perpetrators.”