Frankley Duran, a 36-year-old restaurant worker in Brooklyn, tragically lost his life in the early hours of December 2nd, 2024. Duran was in the process of closing Room 1Hundred, a restaurant located on Jamaica Avenue in East New York, when a disgruntled patron, enraged over an unpaid $280 bill, opened fire from his car. Duran, struck in the head, was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. This senseless act of violence has left Duran’s wife, Yesmel Tejeda, and their families devastated, grasping for answers and seeking justice.
Tejeda, in an emotional interview, described the heart-wrenching moment she received the news. Initially misled to believe her husband was merely intoxicated, the chilling realization of the truth quickly set in. Rushing to the hospital, she stayed by Duran’s side until the end, convinced he knew she was there. The couple, married for two years, had dreams of starting a family in the coming year, a future cruelly snatched away by the impulsive act of a stranger. The holidays, a time they had planned to spend with family in the Dominican Republic, are now shrouded in grief and a desperate plea for justice.
The suspect, having dined at the restaurant, reportedly became enraged over the unpaid bill. Surveillance footage captured the suspect entering his 2016 Chrysler, bearing New York license plate LAL 7188, before callously firing towards the restaurant and speeding off. Duran, who had no involvement in the dispute and no criminal history, became the innocent victim of this impulsive act of violence. The brief video clip shows Duran collapsing to the ground as the vehicle turns onto Marginal Street East.
The NYPD has released photos of the suspect’s getaway car, seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and apprehending the individual responsible for this heinous crime. Tejeda, grappling with the complexity of the investigation, expressed frustration with the pace of progress, especially given the presence of surveillance cameras in the area. She urged the community to come together, to share any information that might help bring the perpetrator to justice and provide some closure for her family.
Tejeda fondly remembers meeting her husband at a restaurant, a place that ironically became the backdrop of their tragic separation. She recalled their simple yet meaningful encounter, the day he insisted on paying for her meal, a gesture that sparked their connection and led to their two-year marriage. She described Duran as “a good guy, an amazing guy,” a loving husband, son, and brother, a valued member of the community whose life was tragically cut short.
The NYPD has appealed to the public for any information related to the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online through the Crime Stoppers website or via X @NYPDTips. As the investigation continues, Tejeda and the community hold onto the hope that the perpetrator will be swiftly brought to justice, offering a semblance of closure amidst this immeasurable loss.
