Queens shooting near veterans post leaves man injured; suspect in custody, sources say

Police in Queens are investigating an early-morning shooting near a veterans’ post on Saturday that left a man wounded and a suspect in custody.

Law enforcement sources said the shooting happened at 61-57 Maspeth Ave. in Maspeth at about 1:15 a.m. on June 13. The location is the Frank Kowalinski Post 4 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans. 

Sources with knowledge of the investigation said the victim, a 46-year-old man, became embroiled in a verbal dispute with the yet-to-be-identified suspect. City Council Member Phil Wong, who represents the area, indicated in a statement that the victim and suspect were known to each other.

That dispute broke down into a physical altercation, during which the perpetrator shot the victim once in the right leg.

Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. EMS rushed the victim to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which were not considered life-threatening.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene that is believed to have been used in the shooting. The suspect was taken into custody for further questioning.

Charges against the suspect are pending the results of the ongoing investigation, police said.

Through June 7, the 104th Precinct had just two reported shootings year-to-date. 

“We thank the officers of the 104th Precinct for their swift response and will continue to monitor the situation,” Wong said.