Father-Of-6 Fatally Shot In Face At Astoria Houses: NYPD, Sources

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A father-of-six was fatally shot in the face on Friday night near the Astoria Houses in a double shooting that left another man hurt, police and sources reported.

Anthony Edwards, 31, and a 30-year-old friend were hanging out in front of the Astoria Houses on the night of Friday, Sept. 24, when a shooter opened fire around 11:10 p.m., the NYPD said.

The younger victim, who tried to run away from the gunman, was shot in the groin, and later taken to the hospital in hurt but stable condition, records show. Edwards, however, was shot multiple times in the face, and died at the hospital, police said.

Edwards’ family — who set up a memorial of balloons and candles outside of his Astoria Houses apartment — told the New York Daily News that they hope the shooter is brought to justice for his sudden death.

“He was really loving and caring. Everyone loved him,” his sister told the Daily News, adding that he especially loved spending time with his kids, including five sons and a daughter.

“It sucks that he was taken from the family. We hope that we can get justice for this,” she said.

As of Saturday, the investigation remains ongoing and the gunman — who fled the scene after the shooting — hasn’t been arrested.

Edwards’ murder is the first of the year at the Astoria Houses, following a citywide attempt to curb shootings, which surged during the coronavirus.