Zhiwen Yan, a 45-year-old father of three and fast-food delivery man, was fatally shot at around 9:30 P.M. in New York City. According to initial reports, the person accused of the fatal shooting was a customer, and Yan had made a delivery to the customer’s home prior in the evening. Further, police believe the whole incident stemmed from a dispute over duck sauce.
Police say Zhiwen Yan was delivering Chinese fast food on his scooter. He had just made a delivery when a customer confronted him on the street. Witnesses report seeing the two men exchanging words before the unnamed suspect shot Yan.
Surveillance video clearly shows the unnamed suspect approaching Yan on foot and with his gun drawn. Shocked, Yan rolled backwards off of his bike and attempted to flee away from the gunman. That’s when the shooter opened fire.
Yan was a strong family-oriented man who moved to New York from China over 22 years ago. His family says that Yan has been working seven days a week to support his family.
While no one has been arrested yet, authorities are looking into claims that a specific 50-year-old disgruntled customer took the life of Yan. This specific customer reportedly had multiple disputes with the Chinese restaurant Yan was delivering for, and even pulled out a weapon on the staff in-store back in January. Prior to that, the customer had a vendetta against the store due to not getting enough duck sauce. He would frequently wait outside of the store and harass employees. He has slashed employee’s tires and thrown duck sauce all over the establishment during prior incidents. That customer is currently wanted for questioning, but no arrests have been made yet.
Murder and Homicide Charges in New York
Fatally shooting someone is considered murder in New York. While the state no longer participates in the death penalty, you could still face the maximum penalty afforded by law, which is life in prison without the possibility of parole, if you get convicted of murder. Further, showing an intention to kill another person will result in first-degree murder charges, which is the highest and most severe crime you could commit in New York state.
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