Cousin, Friend Charged in Morris Park Killing
by David Greene
Detectives in the 49th Precinct have announced the arrest of two men wanted in connection with the February 5 shooting death of man founded riddled with bullets on a quiet Morris Park street.
Just hours after Superbowl 52, police discovered the body of George Carrasquillo, 45, inside his vehicle outside of St. Clare of Assisi School on Hone Avenue, near Rhinelander Avenue. Carrasquillo was declared dead at the scene.
The NYPD reported that witnesses heard gunfire an hour before Carrasquillo was found at 5:30 a.m., after his car apparently rolled-out into the middle of the street. One witness discounted that account, stating, “The shooting happened at 4:15 a.m. and the police got there at like 5:45 a.m., I’m telling you the truth.”
Detectives investigate the killing of George Carrasquillo, 45, outside of St. Clare of Assisi School.–Photo by David Greene
The witness explained, “No, I didn’t call the police because I didn’t know where the shots were coming from. I thought it was coming from the cafe. Then everything was quiet and then at a quarter-to-six I heard the sirens and I saw the lights on the corner and they were blocking the street.”
Defending his neighbors, the witness added, “These people are terrorized. If you live there and beneath your window you hear shots like that. I don’t know the reason why, but they must have been scared. I mean, in the middle of the night you hear shots like that your going to crap in your pants.”
Carrasquillo was laid to rest at St. Raymond’s Cemetery on Lafayette Avenue on February 13.
On February 18, police announced the arrests of Joselin Espada and Nelson Lopez, who were charged with the crime. According to one police source, investigators believe Espada, who was Carrasquillo’s cousin, shot the victim and Lopez was the get-a-way driver.
Police offered no motive for the killing.
Follow Us