Authorities said the former 20-year-old college soccer star Malachi Capers was shot and seriously injured Monday after he accidentally ran into a man inside a delicatessen in Queens.
New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison posted about the incident on Twitter on Tuesday and said the video clearly shows that Capers tried to get away from the situation peacefully.
“Yesterday afternoon, police officers responded to 136 Deli & Grill on Springfield Blvd in Queens for a male shot,” wrote Harrison. “As you can see in the video, the author, identified as Jeffrey Thurston, begins a verbal argument after the victim tries to pass him.”
He added: “The 20-year-old victim, identified by police sources as Malachi Capers, passed the shooter, who was having a drink inside the 136 Deli & Grill at the corner of 136th St. and Springfield Blvd. in Laurelton just after 4:30 pm Monday. “
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The video shows Thurston punching Capers in the arm in retaliation for the hit. The video then shows Thurston looking at this cell phone before surprising Capers with a punch to the face.
After Thurston made his way to the door, Capers, who had been a defensive end for Buffalo State in 2018, chased after him as the altercation moved out of the deli.
Shortly after they both ran away, Thurston pulled out a pistol and shot Capers before fleeing the scene.
The capers were reportedly transferred to the Jamaica Hospital and are still in critical condition, but are expected to survive, sources told the New York Daily News. The men were thought to be strange and without a background.
Police are asking the public for help locating Thurston. In the video shared by Harrison, Thurston’s photo is included at the end of the clip.
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Anyone with information that can lead to your location or arrest should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All the information will be kept confidential.
