Detectives are looking for the gunman who shot a 19-year-old East Harlem Burger King worker dead during a robbery attempt early on Sunday morning.
Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, of East 120th Street in East Harlem was on duty behind the counter of the fast food joint at 154 East 116th St. when the unidentified male suspect walked in at about 12:47 a.m. on Jan. 9.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect pulled out a firearm and demanded cash. But seconds later, cops said, the crook opened fire, striking Bayron-Nieves in the torso.
Citing police sources, WABC-TV reported, the robber additional pistol-whipped a customer and punched a female Burger King manager in the face.
After firing the shot, cops said, the perpetrator fled from the Burger King on foot, heading westbound along East 116th Street.
Officers from the 25th Precinct responded to a 911 call about the incident. Paramedics rushed Bayron-Nieves to Metropolitan Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
So far, no arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, police said.
Later on Sunday morning, the NYPD released video footage of the crook confronting Burger King workers at the counter, while pointing a black handgun at them.
Police described the murderous bandit as a man with a dark complexion and a slim build, who wore a black mask and all black clothing; he carried a black plastic shopping bag with him during the holdup.
Anyone with information regarding the deadly robbery can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
