Cops Search For Man Who Shot Brooklyn Gambling Ring Operator

Emma Whitford

Published Dec 9, 2015

Modified Dec 9, 2015

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The NYPD has released a sketch of one of the suspects in the fatal shooting last month of a Brooklyn man who operated a gambling operation.

Officers responded to 1051 New York Avenue in East Flatbush on Friday November 20th, around 5:40 p.m. There, they discovered 51-year-old Jean-Claude Bernagene lying on the ground in the front yard with gunshot wounds to his chest, right knee, and right wrist. The victim was transported to Kings County Hospital in critical condition, and passed away the following Monday.

Both suspects fled the scene. One, sketched, is believed to be about 5'4" tall, and was last seen wearing a Yankees hat. According to the NYPD, the second suspect is a male.

The Daily News reports that Bernagene ran a gambling operation that involved taking bets on the last three digits in the "daily handle"—the amount of money wagered on a given horserace. The suspects may have been attempting to rob him.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.