Murder at Lefrak City - 21 year old stabbed to death near Section 2 (See update below)
(Andrew Ramirez (upper left) was murdered in Lefrak City this past Tuesday. The buildings pictured are incorrect; the crime happened at a group of buildings further down 57th Ave. Photo credits: DNAInfo)
Sorrow abounds at Lefrak City after a young resident lost his life following a brutal attack last Tuesday night.
According to news reports, security cameras, and personal sources, 21 year old Andrew Ramirez (apparently also known as "Chino") was being chased through the complex by three unknown males around 10PM that night.The three caught up with him in the vicinity of the Canada building (97-20 57th Ave), stabbed him several times in the torso, and fled as Ramirez lay bleeding. Emergency services were called, and Ramirez was taken to North Shore LIJ Hospital on 102nd St, where he was pronounced dead later that night.
The reason for the chase and subsequent stabbing is unknown, and as far as this writer knows, no one has been arrested yet for this crime. It is also not known who the the three are, or the nature of the relationship between them and Ramirez. It is also unknown when his funeral will be.
The only evidence so far is a video from a security camera which shows the three chasing Ramirez and running away again after the stabbing. This writer has been unable to see the video, but perhaps viewers may be better able to see it here.
There is now a memorial for Ramirez at 57th Ave and 97th St, across from the Popeye's restaurant. There lay pictures of the victim, candles lit and unlit, and at least two sheets of cardboard full of condolences for Ramirez.
It seems Ramirez had a certain amount of popularity in the neighborhood, as shown by the amount of traffic at his memorial and the sheer amount of condolences left there. "Everybody knew him" was a common thought.
His father, Leo Ramirez, said to DNA info that his son was a "very smart" and athletic person who fell in with the wrong crowd. This may be a reason for the incident, since the murder is thought to be gang related.
In the opinion of this writer however, a person of his age should not be dead, and it is especially disturbing that a crime of such brazenness took place at a time when people were still walking thru the neighborhood; others could have been potentially hurt by the three assailants. One thing is known - this story will not go away any time soon.
Lefrak City News will do its best to follow the latest developments.
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Update (6/21/2014, 9:52 PM): The memorial for Ramirez referred in this article was out until Thursday night or Friday, but has since been removed for unknown reasons.
