Drama at Mamajuana.
On Sunday, December 27, at approximately 4:30 a.m., police officers from the 45th Precinct responded to a shooting at Mamajuana Cafe, located at 3233 E. Tremont Avenue.
According to multiple witnesses, an unidentified male, driving a dark colored SUV pulled up in front of the restaurant, and fired four or five shots from his vehicle in the direction of the restaurant.
Following the incident, the suspect fled the scene, heading northbound on East Tremont Avenue. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made, as the investigation is ongoing..
Earlier the same night, another shootout took place about a mile south of the restaurant – this one just outside of a CVS located on 3577 E. Tremont Avenue, according to a CVS employee.
On that night, multiple shots were fired after two men were seen arguing as they left an establishment across the street.
When they crossed to the east side of the street, the men exchanged gunfire.
It is unclear as to which bar the men came from or if the shootout caused any injuries.
A CVS employee also confirmed that establishments across the street have previously been the scene of fights and arguments.
“Many of these restaurants on the strip of East Tremont Avenue stay open late and don’t close until 3 or 4 a.m., and have long happy hours, both of which contribute to these types of scenarios,” said Dotti Poggi, an area resident.
Poggi added that the excessive drinking at these locations sometimes lasts until 8 p.m.
“The other factor is that many of these restaurant owners in the neighborhood aren’t from here – and as a result they are bringing in customers who are also not from the neighborhood but are utilizing our crime free area,” Poggi said.
“I believe the neighborhood needs to form a coalition and continue to work with Community Board 10 to protect from the recent occurrence of these instances. I love Throggs Neck just as much as anybody – and I want to keep it safe,” Poggi added.
Mamajuana Cafe did not return requests for comment.
