A dispute over a drug debt ended in gunfire and death at an apartment in Howard Beach. On November 22, 2016, 30-year-old Christopher Cognata went to a residence on 151st Avenue to confront Joseph Amatuccio about money owed from a narcotics deal. Cognata arrived at about 4:30 p.m. and was initially told Amatuccio was not home; after the woman who answered left to walk her dog and returned with a friend, Cognata was eventually let inside.

A violent struggle in a bedroom escalated to gunfire. Cognata suffered fatal wounds to his neck, chest, and arm and was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m. The NYPD identified Amatuccio as the suspect, found him hiding in a nearby apartment, and recovered a Springfield Arms .45-caliber handgun believed to be the weapon used.

Both men were known to law enforcement; Cognata had prior arrests for robbery and gun possession, and Amatuccio had three prior arrests. Does anyone have information about Cognata’s movements that afternoon or what led to the confrontation?