Off-Duty Customs Officer Killed After Nightclub Dispute

Early yesterday morning, an off-duty customs officer was fatally shot outside his parents home in the Jamaica section of Queens. Before the shooting, Maurice "Big Mo" Gordon, 33, got into a dispute at the Moments nightclub in Elmont; apparently some men were harassing his female cousin, and Gordon stepped in to defend her. The Post reports, "Police are looking into the possibility that his killer followed him from the club to his mother's home on 118th Avenue... The mystery gunman confronted him just after he pulled up to the house, then shot him in the chest."

According to the Daily News, Gordon also fired—emptying his agency-issued gun—and a total of 25 shell casings were found outside his parents house. Gordon, who joined Customs and Border Protection in 2007 and had also worked for the TSA at JFK Airport, was able to tell his cousin to run and call 911; he died at Jamaica Hospital. His cousin, Kerry Ann Daily, said, "They were just looking at him directly and they just attacked him."

Police are looking over surveillance tapes from the club. Gordon's widow told the News, "If anyone knows what happened, please call the police and let them know," and referring to their 14-month-old child, "My daughter will no longer have a father. She used to run to the door every time he came home, she can't do that anymore."

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By Jen Chung in News on June 22, 2010 5:24 PM

Comments [rss]

caroaber

Not only did you print the name of his victim's cousin, but you pointed out on what street the victim's parents live. This was poor news ethics. Think about protecting the victim's family for a change, why don't you.

Also, it remains to be seen whether or not the I.C.E. officer struck his assailant.

I don't get the stupid, flippant comments that are being left here. A law-abiding citizen was murdered by a predator. We should all care about that.

Jen Chung

The information about where the shooting took place is being distributed by the authorities, in hopes of finding the suspect. Also, the man's cousin is speaking to the media and willingly identified herself, again in hopes of drawing attention to the case and finding the suspect.

longacre

That info appeared in all the newspaper articles about the incident, it's not unethical for Gothamist to repeat it.

EastRiver

Article says he worked for Customs and Border Protection, not I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Jamie McDonald

If you don't like stupid and flippant comments, the Internet might really not be a great place for you.

Mr Mel

No, the Gothamist might not be the place.

caroaber

I have a sense of humor, too, but c'mon.

A father, husband, and law enforcement officer was murdered. Don't ask for whom the bell tolls...

schadenfreudian mensch

Empty his gun of 25 bullets and didn't even hit anything??

Mr Mel

There was a total of 25 bullets from multiple shooters.

BigRed

What the heck was he doing out so late with such a young kid and a wife back at home?

This is a tragedy, and speaks to our need for gun control, as well as a better way to solve arguments.

Rocknrope

What the heck was he doing out so late with such a young kid and a wife back at home?

Yeah, any guy with a child shouldn't be out past 7pm.

I've heard of blaming the victim, but this is goddamn ridiculous.