Police: Gomez Hurd identified as victim of fatal shooting in New Cassel

A New Cassel man was identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Monday night, and police said Thursday that they're trying to find his killer.

The victim, identified Thursday as Gomez Hurd, 31, died of "multiple gunshot wounds" at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow at 6:42 p.m. Monday, Nassau County police said.

Hurd had been found in front of a business on Prospect Avenue in New Cassel by officers responding to a 911 call.

An employee of a local Chinese food takeout restaurant, Mr. Chen's, said she saw the victim sitting on a bench when he was approached by four youths.

She said she heard gunshots and saw the teens run.

"I heard two gunshots outside and the next thing I know I saw him lying on the ground," the woman said Monday. "It all happened so fast."

Police have not identified any suspects -- or detailed a potential motive for the shooting.

Detectives said anyone with information could call the Homicide Squad at 516-573-7788 or Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”