‘Hazmat Killer’ arrested, charged with murder in fatal shooting of bodega clerk

The New York Post reports, Cyrus, dubbed the "Hazmat Killer," allegedly wore a full-body, white Tyvek suit during a string of robberies that culminated in the shooting last Friday of 67-year-old Queens native Sueng Choi at the Daona Gourmet Deli, location on Third Avenue and East 81st St.

Cyrus was initially released after his Thursday arrest but was taken into custody following his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges.

According lo local ABC News, prosecutors allege Cyrus shot Choi during a botched robbery. The suspect entered the deli and brandished a firearm, including holding the weapon to a customer's head. The suspect then let the customers go as he demanded Choi give him the bodega's money.

Cyrus allegedly shot Choi as he held the gun to the man's head and the bullet penetrated the victim's hand before his head, indicating the bodega worker had his hand up to shield himself.

Prosecutors say the suspect was robbing delis in NYC since February 27th in a 10-day spree that ended last Friday with Choi's death.

Detectives searched copious footage from surveillance cameras and tracked the hazmat wearing suspect driving off on a dark-colored scooter. Police later recovered the scooter, the gun, and the suit which was found behind a Bronx residence the police discovered by scouring the footage.

Local news reports that a citizen's tip from Sunday also helped narrow the suspect to Cyrus.

According to the New York Post, "This is not Cyrus' first run-in with the law. He was convicted of second degree assault in 2003 and paroled in Sept. 2004. He had a 'conditional release to immigration,' with his status following that unclear."