Suspect wanted in shooting death of Papa John’s delivery man in Harlem

A Papa John’s delivery man was shot dead Wednesday night in New York, and police are on the hunt for the man who was seen on surveillance gunning him down.

Jose Alvarado, 37, has been identified as the victim who died after the horrific attack around 10:30pm outside the pizza joint where he worked on Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem.

The New York Police Department released a surveillance photo of the suspect, who is pictured wearing a t-shirt, jeans and a ball cap. The man appears to be heavy-set with a beard. 

Alvarado was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died after he suffered a gunshot to the head.

Papa John’s delivery man Jose Alvarado, 37, (pictured on Facebook) was shot to death Wednesday night outside the Harlem pizza joint he worked at 

Alvarado was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died after he suffered a gunshot to the head

Alvarado was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died after he suffered a gunshot to the head

This surveillance photo shows the suspect who shot Alvarado. He fled the scene before cops arrived

This surveillance photo shows the suspect who shot Alvarado. He fled the scene before cops arrived

The person of interest fled the scene before cops arrived to the location. 

It is currently unclear what the suspect’s motive was – and nothing was stolen from Alvarado during the shooting.

The department has asked anyone for information on his whereabouts or identity to call the 30th Pct. Sqd. at 212-690-8852. 

Chief of Detectives, Dermot Shea, said in a press conference: ‘From a short distance away, it appears at this time that one shot was fired.

The fatal shooting took place around 10:30pm outside this Papa John's on Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem

The fatal shooting took place around 10:30pm outside this Papa John’s on Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem

It is currently unclear what the suspect's motive was - and nothing was stolen from Alvarado during the shooting

It is currently unclear what the suspect’s motive was – and nothing was stolen from Alvarado during the shooting

A surveillance shot shows police after they arrived to the scene Wednesday night

A surveillance shot shows police after they arrived to the scene Wednesday night

‘There’s a couple different theories that we have at this point that I won’t go into… it’s a little preliminary.’ 

One witness, Laura Drawbaugh, told ABC 7: ‘I heard the shot, and I just sort of froze. I realized he was just shot, and I saw somebody lying down.’  

Nearby resident and regular at the Harlem Papa John’s, Lenn Brown, also said. ‘To me, this is a tragedy all the way around.

‘This hardworking man, he lost his life, and whoever the shooter is, if he gets caught, he’s going to be incarcerated for a long time.’

And local shop worker, Samaar Said, told the station: ‘I don’t know what is going on… it’s so sad. Out here, it’s not that bad. I don’t know what’s going on.’

Chief of Detectives, Dermot Shea, (pictured) said in a press conference: 'There's a couple different theories that we have at this point that I won't go into... it's a little preliminary'

Chief of Detectives, Dermot Shea, (pictured) said in a press conference: ‘There’s a couple different theories that we have at this point that I won’t go into… it’s a little preliminary’

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