By Cindy J. Roth
Carol Gaskin of 67 Terrance Ave. in Hempstead was walking to work on Monday morning when she was shot in front of K.E.D. Food Service located at 150 Denton Ave. a little before 8:30 a.m.
Gus Tsakos, K.E.D. Food Service manager, said he did not hear a gun shot, but around 8:30 a.m. he heard a man yelling in the street for help. The man was driving down the block when he noticed Gaskin lying on the sidewalk and he screamed to the passenger in his car to call 911, said Tsakos.
Gaskin was found lying face down in a pool of blood. Lynbrook police arrived on the scene within in minutes and Gaskin was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, said Nassau County Homicide Squad Det. Lt. Dennis Farrell.
Gaskin, a single mother, worked as a health care aid in a private home in Lynbrook for an elderly woman. Gaskin's family was unable to be reached for comment. Several residents of Gaskin's apartment building declined to comment.
While the motive is undetermined at this point, Farrell said the police have ruled out robbery and they have concluded that the act was intentional. There was no confrontation or signs of a struggle.
"A guy walked up to her and just shot her," said Farrell. "There does not appear to be a robbery motive. She was targeted and the intended victim of the shooting."
Neighbors were shocked and saddened to hear of the news. One woman who lives on Denton Avenue said the street was unusually quiet early Monday morning.
Police are asking anyone with information about this homicide to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
