Four Men Charged with Murder for Hire in Fatal Shooting of Queens Man

 

The Victim’s Former Employer Allegedly Ordered the 2019 Murder After the Victim Started a Rival Property Development Company

 A two-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Qing Ming Yu, also known as “Allen Yu,” Antony Abreu, also known as “Anthony,” You You, also known as “Eddie,” and Zhe Zhang, also known as “Zack,” with the February 12, 2019 murder of Xin Gu, a 31-year-old Queens resident.

Qing Ming Yu and You You were arrested today in New York and Zhe Zhang was arrested in California. Antony Abreu is already in federal custody serving a sentence in an unrelated matter and will be transferred to the Eastern District of New York at a later date. Qing Ming Yu and You You are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. Zhe Zhang’s initial appearance will take place in the United States District Court in Los Angeles.

Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, the defendants callously used gun violence to resolve a business dispute, reducing the value of a man’s life to a dollar figure, and bringing trauma and mourning to the community,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Prosecuting killers will always be a top priority for this office—whether the defendant pulls the trigger, or pays someone else to do his dirty work for him.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.

“As alleged, Qing Ming Yu hired his nephew to murder his perceived business rival. His conduct went well beyond poor business practice demonstrating a callous disregard for human life. As a direct result of the action we have taken with our partners today, Qing Ming Yu and everyone involved in the plot won't have to worry about business anymore - as they face justice for their alleged crimes and the possibility of life in prison,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

“We have said it before: If anyone is involved in a murder in New York City, we will find them and ensure that justice is served,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “The tireless work of the detectives, agents, and prosecutors in this case helped hold the men allegedly responsible for this murder accountable for their actions. It is another example of our agencies’ collaborative commitment to public safety, and further proof that no one is beyond the reach of the law.”

As detailed in court documents, between 2015 and 2018, Xin Gu worked for Qing Ming Yu’s property development company at its Manhattan office. After several years, Xin Gu became concerned about the company’s financial viability. Thereafter, Xin Gu resigned and formed his own property development company.

After Xin Gu’s departure, several clients and employees also cut ties with Qing Ming Yu’s company, which then closed at the end of 2018. Enraged at Xin Gu’s perceived disloyalty, Qing Ming Yu allegedly hired his nephew You You to kill Xin Gu in exchange for payment. You You in turn allegedly hired Zhang and Antony Abreu to assist in carrying out the murder.

On the evening of February 11, 2019, into the following morning, Xin Gu’s new company hosted a celebration of the Lunar New Year at a karaoke bar in Queens, New York. The defendants learned of Xin Gu’s party and decided to kill him that night, with You You acting as a lookout, Zhe Zhang serving as the getaway driver and Abreu shooting Xin Gu multiple times, killing him.

If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, or the death penalty.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.