Mugger In Queens F*cked Around And Found Out

A 65-year-old man shot and killed a younger man who tried to rob him in a Queens parking lot early Wednesday morning, police said.

Cops said the gunfire erupted around 2 a.m. on 82nd Avenue in Kew Gardens, just across the street from Queens Criminal Court, after the 32-year-old victim approached the older man with a sharp object. Police said he demanded cash and cigarettes, but are not sure yet if the sharp object was a knife.

The 65-year-old fired a few shots at the alleged thief, striking him several times in the chest, according to police. He then called 911, police said. The 32-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

“He had the gun in his hand, gave him ample time to retreat, go the other way, and the guy was just not budging,” said the superintendent of the building that owns the parking lot, after watching surveillance video of the incident.

The super, who did not want to provide his name due to the ongoing investigation, confirmed that the 65-year-old is a resident of his building and was returning home when he was approached by the younger man.

“He came up behind him, started yelling, saying something … [the resident] turned around, he put his hand up, almost like he was saying ‘calm down,’ and he backed up all the way to the garage door.”

When the younger man saw the gun, the super said he “started doing like little dodge moves, like he was going to dodge the bullets I guess, and then lunged at [the resident].”

At some point, the super said he saw the 32-year-old pull a knife out of his pocket. The older man fired his gun, striking the alleged mugger off camera.

“The guy ran the other way, and he collapsed in the middle of our driveway.”

Police took the older man into custody. He is being questioned as a person of interest, and his identity is being withheld until he is formally charged. It is not yet clear whether his gun was legally owned.

The super said the shooting left him rattled, and described the resident as a “great, upbeat guy” who is always friendly and doesn’t cause problems.

He hasn’t seen him since the incident.

The name of the victim has not yet been released, pending family notification.

Police said the two men were likely strangers and the incident is under investigation.