QUEENS — A St. Albans man was charged with the murder of a Jamaica youth football coach during a fight over a napkin at a Queens bar in June, according to police and sources.
Fruitquana Hawkins, 33, is suspected of shooting Jamaica Bulldogs league youth football coach Timothy Tripp, 35, during an argument inside the Edge Bar and Lounge at 125-22 Merrick Blvd. in St. Albans on June 14, police said.
Police sources said the fight started when Hawkins reached over to Tripp's table to grab a napkin. Tripp responded by throwing the napkin in Hawkins' face, leading the suspect to pull out a gun and open fire, sources said.
Tripp, who owned a clothing store on Baisley Boulevard, dreamed about sending his 11-year-old daughter to college, his family said. He was shot twice, in the head and chest, and pronounced dead at the scene.
Hawkins, who police said had three prior arrests dating back to 1999, including for criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of stolen property, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with murder, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
As of Thursday morning, Hawkins had not been arraigned, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
