Cops: Freeport man shot dead after nightclub quarrel

A Freeport man and federal law enforcement officer who family and friends described as the consummate father and husband was shot dead early Monday when a gunman fired a bullet into his chest after a skirmish at a nightclub, police said.

Maurice Gordon, 32, was shot once in the chest at about 4:30 a.m. after he left the Elmont nightclub and may have been followed into Jamaica, Queens, by men with whom he had quarreled at the establishment. He was shot dead in front of 161-2 118 Ave., New York City police said.

He was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital. No arrests have been made.

The shooting shocked his family and friends, who said Gordon was a "big teddy bear" who doted on his 14-month-old daughter and wife of five years.

"I don't know why these men would do what they did," said Katisha Gordon, his wife. "I just want to know why."

The couple had just celebrated Father's Day by touring the Nautical Mile in Freeport, observing it on Saturday because Katisha had to work on Sunday.

The couple had met in high school but dated in college. She said she last spoke to her husband late Sunday or early Monday after he had put their daughter to sleep.

Maurice Gordon had worked since September 2007 as a Customs and Border Protection officer at JFK airport, said a spokeswoman for the agency.

"Customs and Border Protection is saddened at the death of Officer Maurice Gordon who was off-duty when he was shot Monday morning," said Tara T. Dunlop, the spokeswoman, declining to comment on Gordon's assignment. "CBP extends its condolences to the bereaved family as they mourn the loss of a loved one."

Katisha Gordon, who is a nurse, said her husband "loved his job."

In a family statement read in front of their home by Gordon's friend, Erick Adams, they described Gordon as "a great family man and friend, a loving husband and father to his 14-month-old girl."

The statement continued: "Only his kindheartedness toward all who were privileged to know him can attest to his endless efforts to esteem others higher than himself. Words cannot hold the memory of one of God's brightest heroes. May God bless his family and friends."

Neighbors said they'd see Gordon walking hand in hand with his daughter.

"He looked like the type who would protect you, a big teddy bear," said Frances Brown, who lives down the street from the Gordon home. "Somebody's got to pay for what they did. I feel so bad. He was nice. I can't believe he's gone."

Added neighbor Michael Solomoni: "He was an outgoing, extremely friendly person and an outstanding man."