Prosecutors have announced the arraignment of Thomas Abreu, a 25-year-old man accused of committing a series of apparently random shootings while riding a scooter in New York City. Abreu faces charges including murder and attempted murder following the incidents that took place in Queens over a span of approximately 10 minutes on Saturday morning. Additionally, another individual was shot and injured in Brooklyn.
According to a spokesperson for Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Abreu was arraigned at a hospital where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained during his arrest. The district attorney referred to the events as scenes of terror, stating that the defendant allegedly rode his scooter and fired shots indiscriminately at pedestrians and others.
During the proceedings, Abreu did not enter a plea, and no comment has been made by his attorney regarding the charges. Prosecutors have presented witness testimonies identifying Abreu as the gunman responsible for the fatal shooting of 86-year-old Hamod Saeidi, who was on his way to the mosque to pray when he was tragically killed. Another victim, who was struck in the head when Abreu fired into a parked minivan, is currently in intensive care at a hospital. A third victim sustained a shoulder injury as a result of the shootings.
Authorities stated that Abreu targeted two additional individuals in Queens but failed to hit them. Following the incidents, the suspect was apprehended later on Saturday with the assistance of witness statements and surveillance footage, leading to his arrest.
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The investigation into these shootings remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and build their case against Thomas Abreu.