In the quiet borough of Queens, a community was shaken by the violent death of one of its own. On the afternoon of May 18, 2026, the serene landscape of Kissena Park was shattered by a grim discovery. The body of Albert Itzkowitz, a 75-year-old Jewish man, was found unconscious and unresponsive along the shoreline of Kissena Lake. Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 4:55 p.m.
but it was too late; Itzkowitz was pronounced dead, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his neck and back. The city's medical examiner would later rule his death a homicide, confirming the violent nature of his demise. A resident of Kew Garden Hills, Itzkowitz was a beloved and prominent figure in his community, known as the former owner of the G&I Kosher Bakery and a dedicated volunteer for the Hatzolah emergency medical service. His death was a profound loss, made even more tragic by the recent passing of his wife just weeks earlier.
The news of the brutal, execution-style murder sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond. Itzkowitz was remembered as a father and grandfather, a man who had dedicated his life to serving others. The brazen violence of the act, occurring in a public park frequented by families, instilled a deep sense of fear and outrage among residents and local officials. New York City Council members publicly expressed their sorrow and condemnation of the crime, assuring the community that they were in contact with the New York City Police Department and that all possible resources were being deployed to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. In the wake of the killing, a reward of up to $3,500 was offered for any information that could lead to solving the case.
As of now, the investigation into Albert Itzkowitz's murder remains active and ongoing. Homicide detectives are meticulously working the case, scouring the area for evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby locations. Despite their efforts, the NYPD has not yet made any arrests, nor have they publicly identified any suspects or a potential motive for the slaying. The lack of answers leaves a painful void for a grieving family and a community on edge. The case remains a disturbing mystery, an overview of a beloved elderly man's life cut short by an act of shocking violence in a place that should have been safe, leaving his loved ones and the city to anxiously await a breakthrough that might finally bring a measure of justice.
