By Ivan Pereira
The police have shed light on a murder that took place more than two months ago in Hollis and are asking the public for help in catching the fugitive responsible.
The NYPD released a photo of Kyle Padmore, 30, who was shot in the head outside his home on 188th Street and 105th Avenue May 26. There have been no arrests in the death of Padmore, who lived with his parents at the one-family home, and neighbors said they are frightened.
“I’ve been here six years and we never had any situation like this,” said Padmore’s next-door neighbor Jeon Noble.
Padmore was rushed to Jamaica Hospital immediately after the authorities arrived around 7 p.m. that night, but he was declared dead from the gunshot wound once he got to the medical center, police said.
As of press time Tuesday, no suspects had been named and no arrests had been made, according to investigators. Padmore’s parents could not be reached for comment before press time.
Noble said the family kept to themselves and never really had any enemies.
“It’s really scary to think that happened,” said the neighbor, who lives with her husband and five children.
Another neighbor who asked not to be identified said she heard the gunshots that night.
“The officers came to my door and asked what happened,” she recalled. “I thought I heard a firecracker because nothing like this happens around here.”
The neighbor said the killing has devastated the family, especially the matriarch who is a good friend.
“The mother is very upset even to this day,” she said.
There have been five homicides so far this year in the 103rd Precinct, which covers the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Hollis Park Gardens, Hollis and Lakewood, according to NYPD statistics dated July 31. During the same period last year, there were seven murders.
Overall crime in the area has increased 1.91 percent over the last year, with 940 reported incidents last year compared to 958 incidents in 2011, according to the NYPD.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), text their tips to 274637 (crimes) then enter TIP577 or log on to nypdcrimestoppers.com. All reports will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
