Threat to Asian on E. Side street
A gunman shot and killed a woman on City Island Wednesday — and her beau, who witnessed the slaying, hopped into his car and mowed down the shooter as he tried to escape on a bike, police sources said.
Lizbeth Mass, 52, was working as a flagger on a construction site on the Bronx island known for its beaches and marinas, when the shooter unloaded a barrage of bullets at her about 12:30 p.m., cops said.
Neighbors said the shooter brought lunch to Mass nearly every day, but police refuted reports that the two used to date. Other than his bringing her food, they had no relationship, an NYPD spokesman said .
The victim was part of a crew replacing a water main near City Island Ave. and City Island Road, sources said. Her boyfriend had stopped by.
The 66-year-old gunman exchanged words with Mass before he started shooting, then tried to pedal away on a bicycle. That’s when Mass’ boyfriend, 58, got into his Hyundai and ran him down, police said.
Medics took Mass to Jacobi Hospital, but she couldn’t be saved.
The victim, who lives in Brooklyn, worked at the site for a year and a half, said one neighbor who didn’t give her name.
The gunman was taken into custody, and his weapon was recovered, cops said. He was also taken to Jacobi for treatment, authorities said. Charges were pending.
An Asian woman in Manhattan narrowly avoided a punch from a hateful dog owner who called her “Coronavirus Asian,” police said.
The 25-year-old victim was walking along First Ave. and 57th St. about 1 p.m. on Monday when the suspect, who was walking his dog, confronted her, cops said.
“Coronavirus
Asian,” he spewed, according to police. “I should punch you.”
He tried to punch the woman, but she avoided the blow and the suspect walked off, said police.
About 40 Asian New Yorkers have been the victim of hate crimes so far this year.
Cops released a surveillance video (inset) of the suspect Wednesday in the hopes that someone recognizes him and calls Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.