By: Mario Mancini

A once-quiet section of Queens long considered one of New York City’s safest has been rocked by a 62% surge in murders this year — the only NYPD command in the five boroughs to record a rise in killings, the New York Post reported.

According to new police data obtained by the NY Post, 21 people have been killed in the Queens North command, which covers eight precincts including Forest Hills, Flushing, Astoria, and Elmhurst. That’s up from 13 murders during the same period last year. Shooting victims are also up 60%, with 31 reported so far compared to 20 in 2023.

The spike has stunned residents and city officials alike, particularly in neighborhoods once known for their tranquility. The Post highlighted several recent killings that underscore the alarming trend — including two shocking homicides in Jackson Heights and Flushing.

One of the most disturbing cases involved 21-year-old Dashanna Donovan, who was shot to death inside her Flushing home on Sept. 12. Police believe she was murdered by an ex-boyfriend who traveled from South Carolina to find her, the NY Post reported.

Her mother, Helena Hypolite, told the Post that she had tried desperately to keep her daughter away from the violent man. “She screamed and ran into the house,” Hypolite said. “He ran her down and shot her five times in the bathroom. He came to kill her.”

Investigators said the suspect, who remains at large, had previously beaten Donovan so severely that she suffered a broken arm and head wounds requiring staples. A candlelight vigil later drew dozens of mourners to the quiet Flushing block.

Just weeks earlier, another brutal crime shocked the area. Honduran national Edwin Cruz-Gomez, 38, allegedly mowed down 17-year-old Jhoanny Alvarez with his Chevy Suburban in a drunken rage after making unwanted advances toward her and her mother, the NY Post reported. Police said he had been deported in 2005, later reentered the country illegally, and was released from ICE custody after a 2013 DUI arrest.

In Forest Hills, 19-year-old Jean Rios was found shot dead in the street near 64th Road and Grand Central Parkway on Sept. 28. Police have made no arrests and have not revealed a motive.

Experts told the NY Post the surge may be linked to crime displacement from nearby precincts. “Historically, Queens North has been considered relatively safe,” said retired NYPD detective Michael Alcazar, now a professor at John Jay College. “If neighboring commands are targeting their hot spots, violence can spill over into areas less accustomed to dealing with frequent shootings or homicides.”

Alcazar noted that specialized NYPD units, including gang and narcotics squads, have been reassigned to patrols in other boroughs, reducing their ability to prevent violent crime proactively. “Their role has shifted from targeted prevention to reactive response,” he said.

An NYPD spokesperson, Brad Weekes, stressed that Queens North still ranks among the lowest in the city for murders and shootings, behind only Manhattan South and Staten Island. “The NYPD will continue to deploy officers where they’re needed most to keep the area safe,” he told the Post.

City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Maspeth) blamed the spike on police staffing shortages, saying fewer officers have left neighborhoods vulnerable. “It’s really a lack of police presence that allows people to act up and take matters into their own hands,” Holden told the NY Post.