Bakery Owner Found Shot Dead Near NY Lake As Police Probe Chilling Homicide [WATCH]

A beloved bakery owner was discovered dead along the shoreline of Kissena Lake in Queens this week, and New York City police have now declared the case a homicide.

The victim, 75-year-old Albert Itzkowitz, was found just before 5 p.m. on Monday with multiple gunshot wounds.

His death has left the community reeling and raised new questions about crime and safety in an area already struggling with violence.

Authorities have yet to identify any suspects in the case.

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A police spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that no arrests have been made, leaving locals uneasy as investigators search for answers.

Crime Stoppers has announced a reward of up to $3,500 for anyone who can provide information that leads to the killer.

Itzkowitz was known for running G&I Bakery on Main Street, a kosher bakery that served the local Jewish community for years before closing down.

Longtime residents recall him as a hardworking small business owner who treated customers like family. His sudden death has deeply shaken those who knew him.

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A tragic layer to the story is that Itzkowitz’s wife reportedly passed away just three weeks before his murder.

Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, fueling further speculation and sorrow among neighbors who describe the couple as kind, quiet, and deeply devoted to each other.

Council Member James Gennaro released a statement calling the killing “an intolerable tragedy,” adding that “no one should fear for their safety while enjoying our parks or walking in our neighborhoods.”

Gennaro said he is in direct contact with the New York Police Department and that “all possible resources have been deployed” to solve the murder swiftly.

Locals who frequent Kissena Park say they are shocked by the violence.

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Known for its lake, walking trails, and family-friendly atmosphere, the park is now marked by tragedy.

Visitors have left flowers along the shoreline in memory of the victim. Many say it is a grim reminder that no neighborhood is immune from the wave of violent crime sweeping the city.

New York police confirmed Itzkowitz suffered multiple gunshot wounds, though they have not elaborated on the number or location of those wounds.

They are examining surveillance footage from nearby areas and speaking with residents who may have seen suspicious activity in the hours before the discovery.

It remains unclear how long Itzkowitz had been near the lake before his body was found.

The NYPD urged anyone with information to call the department’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

Even a small clue, they said, could be critical in piecing together what happened. Detectives from the 107th Precinct are handling the case, assisted by the homicide unit.

This homicide comes during a period of heightened concern about crime across New York City.

While some city leaders continue to insist that serious crimes are down overall, many residents are not buying it.

High profile cases like Itzkowitz’s death reveal a very different reality on the ground, where law-abiding citizens increasingly feel unsafe in their own parks and neighborhoods.

The troubling statistics add to the frustration. Antisemitic incidents in New York have nearly tripled in recent years, despite the city touting so-called “record lows” in other categories.

Whether the motive in this killing had any connection to such hostility is unknown, but members of the Jewish community say they are watching the investigation closely and demanding transparency.

Neighbors describe Itzkowitz as a warm presence with an easy smile, a man who poured his heart into his bakery for decades.

One customer said, “He was part of the fabric of this place. We all knew him. Everyone did.”

That his life ended so brutally has left many calling for strong justice and meaningful action against violent offenders.

The killing of a small business owner who simply sought peace after losing his wife reveals a much deeper problem in America’s largest city.

While politicians hold press conferences and declare victory in crime reduction strategies, real families are facing heartbreak on the sidewalks and in the parks where they once felt safe.

For the people of Queens, the demand now is simple: find who did this, and hold them to account.

Until then, another section of New York will live under the shadow of fear and frustration, wondering how such cruelty could unfold so close to home.

As police continue working the case, city leaders may want to take a hard look at what safety actually means for everyday New Yorkers.

Because when a 75-year-old baker can be gunned down beside a lake, no amount of political spin can disguise the truth about where things stand.

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