New York, NY – A convicted drug trafficker has been found guilty of carrying out a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by a Manhattan real estate developer, resulting in the death of Xin “Chris” Gu in 2019. Antony Abreu, 36, was convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn for his role in the killing, which was ordered by his former boss, Qing Ming “Allen” Yu.
The victim, Gu, had been working for Yu’s company, Amaco, a multimillion-dollar apartment renovation firm, before resigning in 2018 and taking valuable clients with him to a new company. Enraged by the betrayal, Yu assigned his nephew to assemble a team to seek revenge. Abreu was recruited to carry out the hit, reportedly receiving a high-priced Richard Mille wristwatch worth over $100,000 as payment.
In the early hours of February 12, 2019, Abreu ambushed Gu outside a karaoke bar in Flushing, Queens, gunning him down as he awaited an Uber. Following a separate trial in October, both Yu and Zhang were also found guilty for their involvement in the murder-for-hire plot.
Abreu, already serving a lengthy prison sentence for a prior drug conviction, displayed no emotion as the jury delivered the verdict. His mother, present in the courtroom with other family members, reacted with a mix of sighs, slumping, and quiet sobs.
The prosecution, led by Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, denounced the murder plot as a result of greed and revenge. The victim, Gu, was targeted simply for pursuing the American Dream by establishing his own business.
During Abreu’s trial, he testified in his defense, claiming he was on Long Island to pick up cash from a marijuana dealing business. However, the prosecution discredited his alibi, pointing out the lack of corroborating testimony from the alleged friend. Despite plans to challenge the verdict, Abreu faces a mandatory life sentence when sentenced in September.
The trial faced some challenges, including the dismissal of jurors, with the final alternate brought in shortly before the verdict was reached. The dramatic developments underscored the complex and emotional nature of the case, shedding light on the consequences of crime and betrayal in the pursuit of wealth and power.