The deli on the corner of 162nd Street and Station Road where Jose “Smoker” Alvarenga shot and killed Fernando Gonzalez-Chavez in 2017. (Google Maps)
Nov. 4, 2019 By Allie Griffin
A reputed MS-13 member was convicted of murder last week for the fatal shooting of a former associate outside a Flushing deli in 2017.
Jose “Smoker” Alvarenga, of Hempstead, Long Island, was found guilty of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan. It took the jury just three hours to convict him.
Alvarenga, 29, killed Fernando Gonzalez-Chavez, 39, who had stopped being an active member of the MS-13 gang, around midnight on May 31, 2017.
Alvarenga approached Gonzalez-Chavez who was crouching against a wall at the corner of 162nd Street and Station Road. He then stood in front of Gonzalez-Chavez, fired his pistol and threw him to the ground, according to trial testimony.
The bullet ripped through Gonzalez-Chavez’ lungs, his aorta and his esophagus. He died within minutes.
Alvarenga fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police on July 27, 2017 after the NYPD received a tip. He was also seen on video surveillance entering and exiting the deli. Just seconds after leaving the deli the fatal shooting took place.
“The defendant searched out the victim and when he found him, aimed a gun at his chest and fired a single shot,” Acting DA Ryan said. “The victim died on a street corner on the side of a Queens deli.”
Ryan said that Alvarenga showed no remorse and no mercy.
Alvarenga faces up to 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing is set for Nov. 19.
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