by Jerry Burke and Liz McBreen
Laing, a mother of four, was pronounced dead at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola at 8:16 a.m., 40 minutes after police say two suspects entered her home at 194 Locustwood Blvd., south of the Belmont Racetrack. One of the gunmen fired three shots, hitting Laing once in the head and once in the torso.
According to Nassau County Police, a neighbor called after 7:35 a.m. notifying them of multiple gunshots inside the home. By the time police reached the scene, the 36-year-old victim's boyfriend, who police identified as Robert DeLeon, had been involved in an automobile accident, after apparently following the two gunmen. DeLeon's Lexus Land Cruiser was severely damaged, landing on a neighbor's lawn two blocks away at 106th Ave. and Wellington Rd. after his car collided with a Nissan Pathfinder at about 7:54 a.m. A mother and son inside the Pathfinder were not seriously injured.
Homicide Squad Det. Lt. Dennis Farrell said that while there was no known motive for the attack as of Monday, it was clear to police that Laing "was the intended target. The assailants went directly to where they knew she would be." Farrell also said that in addition to Laing and DeLeon, there were two other adults in the home at the time of the shooting. Laing's youngest daughter, 9, and son, 4, were also home at the time.
According to the police report, the two suspects entered the house after one of the other adult residents, who was outside warming up a car, led them to the door. Police have not yet identified the other occupants of the home or what they witnessed. The couple was renting the home at the time of the shooting.
The two gunmen, say police, made no demands for money or property. Words were exchanged in the woman's second-floor bedroom, where she was then shot.
The suspects fled in what police believe is either a red or maroon sport utility vehicle. DeLeon followed them for a few blocks before his accident.
Family and friends of the deceased came to the home soon after, many of them crying and unable to stand as they were notified of Laing's death. Police say she owned two businesses in the Bronx, a grocery store and a hair salon.
After his accident, DeLeon was taken to Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream with minor injuries and was treated and released. The mother and son who were in the Pathfinder were also taken to the hospital and released.
According to a relative, Laing was a Jamaican immigrant who came to New York when she was in her early twenty's. She eventually earned enough money through child-care jobs to buy her own business on White Plains Road in the Bronx. Her two older daughters were both away attending college.
Farrell said the Homicide Squad was continuing the investigation, trying to find a motive. "We are currently interviewing her family and any business associates she had," said Farrell. Police were still combing the home for any forensic evidence.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.
