BY COLE SINANIAN
cole@queensledger.com
FLUSHING — The killer of Albert “Avrumie” Itzkowitz is still on the loose more than a month after the 75-year-old grandfather was mur- dered in broad daylight in Queens’ Kissena Park on May 18, and the Itzkowitz family is urging the public to help the investigation.
At a press conference by the park’s entrance last Thursday, local electeds announced an increased Crime Stoppers reward of $10,000 for information leading to an arrest, while the family offered another $10,000, bringing the total reward to $20,000. Attendees included members of the victim’s family, local Jewish community leaders, state Senator John Liu, City councilmember Sandra Ung, and state Assemblymembers David Weprin and Nily Rozic.
“I know for a fact that there were so many people, during the daytime here at Kissena Park around the lake,” Liu said. “Somebody must have seen and heard something.”
“There’s a killer at large,” Liu continued, “And that makes it dangerous for all of us and our families.”
Officers from the NYPD’s 109th Precinct responded to a 911 call just before 5pm on May 18 of an unconscious male along the Kissena Lake shore line, where they found Itzkowitz deceased with gunshot wounds to his neck and back. Police later estimated the murder had taken place around 3pm that day, at a time when as many as 200 people were likely in the park.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 38 days since my dad, Avrumie Itzkowitz, was taken from us in broad daylight,” said Tzvi Yonie Itzkowitz, Avrumie’s youngest son.
“During that time we’ve seen the dedication, sensitivity, and tireless ef- fort of the NYPD and the district attorney’s office,” he said. “We appreciate everything they’ve done so far, and will continue to do to solve the mystery of who’d want to harm this sweet, defenceless, elderly man simply enjoying the hot days he loved so much.”
“We are desperate for answers, and have found ourselves in emotional limbo over the past month,” Itzkowitz continued.
Avrumie Itzkowitz was described as a beloved figure in his Queens com- munity who was a grandfather, kosher supervisor, and a volunteer EMT. During the press conference, speakers raised concerns that the killing may have been motivated by antisemitism, noting that Itzkow- itz was a visibly Jewish man attacked in a public park during a period of elevated antisemitic incidents across New York City.
“Five weeks ago, my father was sitting in Kissena Park during a routine break, a place he knew and trusted and he was murdered in broad daylight,” said Itzkowitz’s daughter, Leah Lifshitz. He was visibly Jewish, he was alone and he was killed in a public space where he should have been safe.
“In a city where antisemitic incidents are rising, we cannot ignore the context of what happened here. Whether or not it is ultimately confirmed, this is a question that must be fully and seriously investigated from every angle.”
Members of the public are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online at https:// crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
