20-year-old man shot and killed during Queens smoke shop robbery

Adam Devine

QUEENS, NY – A 20-year-old man was found by police Saturday afternoon with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Daryus Clarke was shot and killed inside The Plug Smoke Shop during an armed robbery on Saturday.

Police said at around 12:15, three armed men rushed into the business and began to loot the store. During the robbery, one of the suspects fired his gun at Clarke, who worked at the store.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered a 20-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest,” the NYPD said. “EMS transported the victim to Jamaica Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.”


A report by the police in the aftermath of the shooting detailed the findings of their initial investigation.

“Three unknown male individuals entered the above location, with one individual displaying a firearm while the other two individuals removed merchandise,” the NYPD said. “While the individuals were leaving the location, one of the individuals discharged the firearm, striking the victim in the chest. The individuals fled in a white Toyota 4-door sedan northbound on 110th Street. “

No arrests have been made. No suspects have been identified.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/or or on Twitter @NYPDTips 

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