Far Rockaway teenager identified as homicide victim

Police on Wednesday identified a Far Rockaway teenager as the victim of a homicide in Lawrence earlier this week.

Harold B. Sermeno, 17, was found dead Tuesday morning behind the Five Towns Community Center, Nassau police said. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

He was found in a picnic area behind the community center, police said.

The center’s director declined to comment Wednesday through a security guard. Remnants of crime-scene tape could be seen outside the building, which has signs on the front door notifying visitors of armed security guards, video surveillance and a ban on firearms on the premises.

Lawrence Village officials said the homicide occurred just outside the village’s boundaries, even though the community center’s address is listed as Lawrence. Part of the Five Towns, the village has a large Jewish community, though Trustee Uri Kaufman said there is a small Hispanic population.

“Obviously we’re all shaken. Nobody wants to see a homicide in their neighborhood,” Kaufman said. “This is part of our community, any way you look at it.”