On Thursday, prosecutors revealed that a grand jury had indicted a 39-year-old male from the Bronx on charges of murder in connection with the burglary and shooting death of an Upper East Side deli employee last month.
“Kimond Cyrus reportedly killed Sueng Chul Choi with a horrific, terrifying act of violence,” said Bronx DA Alvin Bragg, who won a four-count indictment involving murder in both the first and 2nd degrees against the suspect.
Prosecutors allege that on the night of the terrible murder, Friday, March 3rd, Cyrus donned his characteristic Tyvek suit from The Bronx and rode his motorcycle into Manhattan, where he would eventually attack Daona Deli, which was situated at 201 West 81st Street, near The third Avenue, off the upper east side of town.
What Exactly Transpired?
Prosecutors say the suspect entered the deli around 11:20 p.m., produced a firearm, and demanded money from a customer, who complied.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has disclosed additional information suggesting that 67-year-old murder victim Sueng Chul Choi, also known as Michael, wasn’t complying with the suspect’s requests.
Prosecutors claim that Cyrus pistol-whipped Choi and then held a gun to the customer’s head in an effort to extort money from the clerk. The suspect allegedly told Choi to walk to the rear of the shop and then accompanied him there when Choi refused.
Prosecutors allege that after the initial robbery at Daona Deli, the victim ran away after hearing a single gunshot from inside, and that a second witness saw Cyrus exit the deli, hop on his moped, and drive away.
The Official Proclamation
An indictment on KIMOND CYRUS, 39, with the assassination of Sueng Chul Choi, 67, a Lower East Side deli cashier, was announced today by Manhattan prosecutors Alvin L. Bragg, Junior.
In the New York City supreme court indictment, CYRUS is accused of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon.[1]
District Attorney Bragg has stated, “Kimond Cyrus is suspected of murdering Sueng Chul Choi in a horrific, chilling act of violence.” “Bodegas are the binding fabric that holds the neighbourhoods of Manhattan together.
We are devastated by Mr. Choi’s death and will continuing doing everything in our power to ensure the security of our bodega and deli staff.
Court records and testimony submitted under oath indicate that CYRUS conducted four armed robberies in three different boroughs within a week’s time. Each time he robbed a store, he brandished a gun while dressed in a white Tyvek hazmat suit, facemask and gloves.
CYRUS visited a structure in the Bronx, changed into a biohazard suit, and then rode a moped into Manhattan a few moments before the assassination on March 3, 2023.
Also read: Seven-Year-Old Boy Recovered After Days-Long Search In The Heart Of Los Angeles
The Murder Unfolded Like This
Daona Deli is located at 81 East 11th Street, and CYRUS went there around 11:20 p.m. He went up to the patron, brandished his weapon, and made a demand for cash. A customer took cash from his pocket and dropped it on the ground.
CYRUS threw him to the ground and went to confront Mr. Choi at the register. CYRUS pistol-whipped Mr. Choi and put the gun to the man’s head when he refused to pay over cash. CYRUS then ordered Mr Choi to the store’s back room and followed after him.
After they left, the patron fled the deli, only to return moments later after hearing gunfire inside.A third person saw CYRUS leave the deli and get on his motorbike.
A customer who came inside the business at that time saw Mr. Choi on the ground. unconscious and with blood coming from his head. On the spot, he was deemed dead.
On his bike, CYRUS proceeded to the Bronx, where he robbed yet another deli at gunpoint. A few days later, police in the Bronx made an arrest.
Officers were able to recover a pistol with ammunition matching the one found in the Manhattan robbery and other items stolen from a Bronx deli after executing a search warrant on CYRUS’s apartment.
Also read: Identifying Alvin Bragg. A Career Of Grit, Fortitude, And Standing Up For What’s Right
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Bureau 40 Assistant District Attorneys Gregory SanGermano as well as Kaleigh Shea, under the direction of Robert Ferrari, Bureau Chief of A trial Bureau 40, and Lisa DelPizzo.
Chief of the Criminal Trial Division, with the help of Trial Preparation Staff members Sarah Rogers as well as Dale Nelson, who was and digital proof Analysts Mollie Somers.
D.A. Bragg expressed gratitude to the Violence and Shooting Improvement Team, everyone on the Manhattan North Murder Squad, the 19th District Detective Squad, and Investigators Daniel Faughan along with John Christmann from the 19th Precinct The detective Squad.
He also thanked The detective Randy Rosa of the Manhattan the north Violence Squad, The investigator Giselle Batista for the Bronx Police Department Robbery Squad, and the rest of the New York City North Murder Squad.
Conclusion
Prosecutors claim the Medical Examiner ruled that Choi received a gunshot in the left hand, and the bullet continued on to strike his head. We are devastated by the passing of Mr. Choi or will not rest until we have done everything in our power to ensure the security of our bodega and deli employees.
