Family Terrorized by Armed Gunmen During Home Invasion and Robbery

QUEENS, NEW YORK – Six members of a Queens residence, including two children, were terrorized by two armed gunmen early Friday morning after the pair gained entry through a basement window. Police sources said the crime occurred at a home on 89th Street near 86th Road in Woodhaven around 2:50 a.m. on Feb. 5^th.

According to police, after the suspects who were described only as black men, forced entry to the home they confronted six occupants at gunpoint.  They demanded money and jewelry, and ransacked the home after restraining the adults, which included three men ages 18, 30 and 34, and a 28-year-old woman. There were also two children, a 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy present.

A safe key was acquired during the incident, and the two fled the scene in an unknown direction. It was not clear what the pair escaped with, and the residents suffered only minor physical injuries. Officers from NYPD’s 102nd Precinct responded to the incident. The incident is still under investigation and no suspects have been identified.

Known for having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, New York City requires residents to have a City handgun license to own a handgun, and a City issued permit to own a rifle or shotgun. The State of New York does have “castle doctrine” laws, which allow a person to use lethal force to defend themselves in their home in the case of robbery or burglary, without the duty to retreat.