What to Know
- A state corrections officer and his wife were shot at their home in Queens on Sunday evening, sources said
- Men stormed the couples' house and shot the husband in his torso multiple times and the wife in her shoulder, according to police
- A motive for the shooting is not known but police are investigating whether or not the couple was targeted by the intruders
Neighbors are in shock after two men forced their way into a home in Jamaica, Queens, on Sunday evening and shot a state corrections officer and his wife, sources said.
The men stormed into the Mathias Avenue home sometime before 7 p.m. and once inside shot 58-year-old Henry Wright multiple times in his torso and a 52-year-old woman in her shoulder, according to police.
Wright was unconscious when paramedics rushed him to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition. The woman was also taken to Jamaica Hospital in serious condition, police said.
It's unclear what the motive for the home invasion was or if anything was stolen from the home. A spokesman for the state Department of Corrections said Wright was a 35-year veteran assigned to the Queensboro Correctional Facility in Queens.
"I am shocked to learn of this horrific incident that injured one of our own correction officers," said Anthony J. Annucci, the agency's acting commissioner. "On behalf of our entire Department staff, we join with Henry's family and loved ones in wishing for a full and speedy recovery."
Neighbors can't believe their normally quiet enclave of the city has been racked by violence. The couple is known for enjoying barbecues and helping out neighbors.
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“Very nice people. I surprised to see something like this happen in this neighborhood,” resident Mario Farez said.
The two suspects, said to be in their 20s, escaped. Police were looking for them Sunday night. Authorities said they were wearing black hoodies and jeans.
