SHOOT VIC DIES

Qns. bizman in loan tangle lingered 5 days

A QUEENS businessman who was shot inside his office over an unpaid loan has died, police said Friday.

A gang of three killers dressed in suits burst into Garden Valley Distribution, a deli-products wholesaler on 101st Ave. near 99th St. in Ozone Park, about 10:15 a.m. Monday, according to cops.

One of the men shot 64-yearold Hani Kasem in the head. The brutes also pistol-whipped Kasem’s 32-year-old son, leaving him with bruises and cuts to his face and head.

Kasem’s family took him off life support at Jamaica Hospital Tuesday after doctors told them he had no hope of recovery, according to sources. Authorities did not divulge his death until Friday.

Police believe that a loan shark had given Kasem (pictured) $50,000 to open his business.

Kasem was making monthly repayments of $300, but about six months ago, the lender changed his terms and demanded the rest of the money be repaid immediately, sources said.

The gunman and his accomplices had been dispatched to collect the payment. Kasem was shot after he told the toughs he would only deal directly with the lender, police sources said.

“We want the money,” the trio had demanded before shooting Kasem, according to sources.

Two other workers were at the store but were not hurt, police sources said.

The trio drove off from the killing in a black Nissan but left behind a hat and a 9-mm. magazine, sources said. Grieving family members gathered early Friday afternoon at the man’s Jamaica Hills home.

“These criminals took a very good person,” said one man, who identified himself as Kasem’s brother-inlaw.

“Of course, when you have a father, a brother, a son, a cousin . . . that’s lost, it’s painful,” he said. Kasem, a Palestinian who immigrated to the U.S. when he was young, spent roughly four decades running grocery stores and delis, according to the brother-in-law.

The businessman worked hard to provide for his robust family including his two sons, eight daughters and multiple grandchildren, the brother-inlaw said.

“You should’ve seen his funeral (Thursday),” he added, explaining that nearly 400 people had come to pay their respects.

No arrests have been made in the slaying.

Family members declined to comment on the specifics around Kasem’s death but said they are confident detectives can bring them closure.

"We’re going to leave it to New York’s Finest,” said the brother-in-law. “They’ve been doing a great job.”