A man was shot outside the Riviera Gentleman’s Club in Astoria in a botched robbery early on September 24. Photo: Melissa Cipolla-Mennona
The NYPD this week released surveillance images showing the moment a masked mugger opened fire outside the Riviera Gentleman’s Club, executing a 40-year-old man in a botched robbery early on September 24.
Police said Hector Figuereo was followed out of the club on Steinway Street and 35th Ave. in Astoria just after 3:50 a.m. by the suspect, who shot Figuereo to death after he tried and failed to snatch Figuereo’s jewelry.
Police sources told the Queens Gazette that surveillance “captures the suspect crouching down next to Figuereo” moments after the sound of gunfire pierced the night air, then “fleeing empty-handed in a white Mercedes SUV heading in the wrong direction on one-way 37th Street.”
“We have information that makes us believe this was a very personal attempt to grab that jewelry and run,” the sources said. “Witness accounts and surveillance show the gunman eyeballing Figuereo from a barstool inside the club, following him outside and, after a brief scuffle between the two men, firing the fatal shot into the victim’s back,” police sources said.
A team of FDNY medics rushed the victim to Elmhurst Hospital Center where he died.
An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477); visit: crimestoppers.nypdonline.org; or @NYPDTips on X (formerly Twitter). The hotline is offering a reward of up to $3,500 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
––Liz Goff