D.A. Bragg Announces Prison Sentence Of Kimond Cyrus For Murder Of Upper East Side Deli Clerk

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the sentencing of KIMOND CYRUS, 42, to 24 years-to-life in state prison for the fatal shooting of 67-year-old Sueng Chul Choi, an Upper East Side deli clerk, in March 2023. On October 21, 2025, CYRUS pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to one count of Murder in the First Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He was sentenced on December 5, 2025.

"Kimond Cyrus was sentenced to a significant state prison term for the horrifying shooting of Sueng Chul Choi as he was working his late-night shift." said District Attorney Bragg. "Cyrus engaged in escalating turned-deadly gun violence - committing a gunpoint robbery before brazenly ending Mr. Choi's life. Mr. Choi was a father and a hardworking person, and although we cannot bring him back, I hope that his family and loved ones can take solace knowing this defendant has been brought to justice."

As admitted in the defendant's guilty plea, a few hours before the murder on March 3, 2023, CYRUS entered a building in the Bronx where he changed into a hazmat suit and then rode into Manhattan on a moped. At approximately 11:20 p.m., CYRUS entered Daona Deli on East 81st Street. He approached a customer, displayed a firearm and demanded money. The customer pulled money out of his pocket and placed it on the floor. CYRUS pushed him to the floor and turned his attention to Mr. Choi who was behind the cashier counter. When Mr. Choi refused to hand over money, CYRUS pistol-whipped him and put his gun to the customer's head to force Mr. Choi to comply. CYRUS then demanded that Mr. Choi go to the rear of the store and followed him.

The customer was able to run outside the deli when they left. CYRUS shot Mr. Choi in the head moments later. A separate eyewitness observed CYRUS walk out the deli and to his moped. That witness entered the store and found Mr. Choi lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding from his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

CYRUS was arrested a few days later in the Bronx.

According to allegations in court documents and statements made on the record, CYRUS also committed three gunpoint robberies across two other boroughs within the same week as the murder. In each of the robberies, he was alleged to have displayed a firearm and worn a white hazmat suit, a facemask and gloves. Those charges are pending in the other boroughs.

Pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant executed on CYRUS's apartment, officers recovered a loaded firearm containing bullets matching the one recovered from the Manhattan robbery.

Assistant D.A.s Gregory SanGermano and Kaleigh Shea (Trial Bureau 40) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Robert Ferrari (Former Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Nicole Blumberg (Current Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Dale Nelson (Trial Bureau 40), former Trial Preparation Assistant Sarah Rogers and former Digital Evidence Analyst Mollie Somers provided invaluable assistance.

D.A. Bragg thanked Detectives Daniel Faughan and John Christmann of the 19th Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Randy Rose of the Manhattan North Homicide Squad, Detective Giselle Batista of the Bronx Robbery Squad, the Homicide and Shooting Enhancement Team, the entire Manhattan North Homicide Squad, 19th Precinct Detective Squad and the 19th Precinct.

Defendant Information:
KIMOND CYRUS
Bronx, New York

Convicted:

• Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

Sentenced:

• 24 years-to-life in state prison

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