In the early morning hours of July 24, 2021, a 25-year-old Honduran man named Albert Carrasco Serrato was found shot to death on a street in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. Police responded to the scene on 150th Street at approximately 3 a.m. after the city's ShotSpotter system detected gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered Carrasco Serrato lying unresponsive with gunshot wounds to his head and torso.
He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Adding a layer of complexity to the investigation, Carrasco Serrato was found wearing a dress, a detail that deeply confused his family who said they had never known him to dress in women's clothing.
The family of Albert Carrasco Serrato was left devastated and searching for answers, describing him as a hardworking man dedicated to making a better life for himself and his family. His brother and uncle expressed their profound confusion and sorrow over the circumstances of his death, stating that it was completely out of character for him to be in that situation or dressed in that manner. They pleaded for the public's help in understanding what led to the tragic event and who was with him in his final moments.
Investigators initially sought a person of interest described as a man with a beard, a tattoo on his forearm, and wearing a black 'Adidas' t-shirt, who was seen on surveillance footage in the vicinity. The investigation eventually led to the arrest of 19-year-old Edson Giron Figueroa. Following his arrest, Figueroa confessed to the killing, telling police that he had been looking to rob a prostitute that night. He claimed that when he confronted Carrasco Serrato, he panicked and accidentally fired multiple shots when Carrasco Serrato turned towards him. According to his statement, Figueroa fled the scene immediately after the shooting without taking any of Carrasco Serrato's belongings and later had a friend help him dispose of the gun.
Edson Giron Figueroa was subsequently charged with murder, attempted robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court and held without bail. The case highlighted the ongoing concerns about gun violence in the city.
