An argument last year over duck sauce may have precipitated the killing of a Chinese restaurant deliveryman, Zhiwen Yan, 45, on Monday.
Unsatisfied, the disgruntled customer demanded more, and then asked for his money back. The owner refused, and according to the owner, the police were called and arrived at the restaurant.
After the incident, Mr. Yang started to experience a series of disturbing events. He reported his car tires were slashed, and on one occasion, the customer was allegedly caught in the act of damaging the owner’s car. Mr. Yang said the customer had a gun, and was wrestled to the ground by employees before the police came.
Although Mr. Yang called the police several times after the incident, the customer apparently was not charged with any crimes. The customer has not been officially declared a suspect or a person of interest in the murder of the deliveryman, who was one of the employees who restrained the customer when he allegedly accosted the restaurant owner with a gun.
Another employee of the restaurant said that the irate, crazed customer would often wait on the sidewalk and harass the owner and the deliveryman.
According to police sources, the car that sped away from the crime scene is a gray Lexus RX3 SUV, which is the same car that the customer drives.
Customers, neighbors and community leaders placed flowers at a memorial outside the now closed Great Wall restaurant on Queens Boulevard, mourning Mr. Yan’s senseless death.