The Bizarre Case of Glenn Hirsch: The "Duck Sauce Killer"

Why are people so damn angry lately about the stupidest shit?


Background

Glenn Hirsch, a 51-year-old resident of Queens, New York, became infamously known as the "Duck Sauce Killer" following the murder of Zhiwen Yan, a Chinese food delivery worker. The case drew significant media attention due to the bizarre motive behind the crime: a dispute over duck sauce packets.

The Incident

The conflict began in November 2021 when Hirsch allegedly became enraged over not receiving enough duck sauce with his order from the Great Wall restaurant in Forest Hills. This led to a series of harassments, including threatening remarks, vandalism, and even brandishing a firearm at the restaurant's employees. The situation escalated on April 30, 2022, when Hirsch allegedly followed Zhiwen Yan on his delivery route and fatally shot him at a Queens intersection.

Timeline of Events

Zhiwen Yan and his now widow.

Hirsch was arrested in June 2022 and charged with murder, stalking, and other related offenses. He was released on $500,000 bail and placed under house arrest. However, on August 5, 2022, Hirsch was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after failing to appear in court. He left behind a suicide note in which he proclaimed his innocence and criticized the NYPD and the Queens District Attorney's Office for what he described as "sloppy police work" and "confirmation bias".

The Suicide Note and Its Implications

Hirsch's suicide note, which was later made public, contained a detailed account of his grievances against the authorities and the media. He denied any involvement in Yan's murder and claimed that the case against him was a result of defamation and wrongful arrest. The note also attempted to exonerate his estranged wife, Dorothy Hirsch, who was facing charges for possessing firearms found in her apartment. Glenn Hirsch stated that he had stored the guns in her home without her knowledge.

Dorothy Hirsch, a registered nurse, was charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon after police found eight guns and over 400 rounds of ammunition in her apartment. Her defense argued that she was unaware of the firearms and that they belonged to Glenn Hirsch, who had used her closet for storage. Despite the suicide note and scientific evidence suggesting she never touched the guns, prosecutors continued to pursue charges against her.

Victim's Background and Community Impact

Zhiwen Yan, the victim, was a hardworking immigrant from China who had been working at the Great Wall restaurant for 14 years. He worked multiple jobs to support his family, including his wife and three children, aged 2, 12, and 14. Yan was well-loved in the community, and his death left a significant impact on those who knew him. His widow, Eva Zhao, expressed her profound grief and described Yan as a dedicated family man who worked tirelessly to provide for his loved ones.

Conclusion

The case of Glenn Hirsch, the "Duck Sauce Killer," is a tragic and complex story that highlights issues of mental health, domestic abuse, and the consequences of unchecked harassment. While Hirsch's death precluded a trial, the legal proceedings against his estranged wife continue to unfold, raising questions about the extent of her involvement and the fairness of the charges against her. The case remains a poignant reminder of the far-reaching impacts of seemingly trivial disputes and the importance of thorough and unbiased investigations.


Sources used

  1. Christina Fan. "Tweet." Twitter, 2 May 2022, https://x.com/Christinafantv/status/1520833379188551682.
  2. "Yan Zhiwen, food delivery worker, shot to death in Forest Hills, Queens." CBS News, 4 June 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/yan-zhiwen-food-delivery-worker-shot-to-death-forest-hills-queens/.
  3. Rocco Parascandola, Thomas Tracy, and John Annese. "Queens customer angry over duck sauce sought in fatal shooting of Forest Hills Chinese food deliveryman." New York Daily News, 2 May 2022, https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/05/02/queens-customer-angry-over-duck-sauce-sought-in-fatal-shooting-of-forest-hills-chinese-food-deliveryman/.
  4. Michael Shain. "Suspect arrested in delivery man death." Queens Chronicle, 4 June 2024, https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/suspect-arrested-in-delivery-man-death/article_63b25cf5-3ced-5fb2-a0a5-d5221d3bc357.html.
  5. Rocco Parascandola, Thomas Tracy, and John Annese. "Queens customer angry over duck sauce sought in fatal shooting of Forest Hills Chinese food deliveryman." New York Daily News, 2 May 2022, https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/05/02/queens-customer-angry-over-duck-sauce-sought-in-fatal-shooting-of-forest-hills-chinese-food-deliveryman/.
  6. Rocco Parascandola, Thomas Tracy, and John Annese. "Customer angry over duck sauce arrested for April shooting death of beloved Queens Chinese restaurant deliveryman." New York Daily News, 2 June 2022, https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/06/02/customer-angry-over-duck-sauce-arrested-for-april-shooting-death-of-beloved-queens-chinese-restaurant-deliveryman/.
  7. "Great Wall Chinese Food Security." GoFundMe, https://www.gofundme.com/f/great-wall-chinese-food-security?fbclid=IwAR0wyIxzwuNIxpQQ74h_6J14C0jO5BJJ_Hv_EraJVAXVqvW8D2U75384DJM.
  8. Michael Shain. "Suspect arrested in delivery man death." Queens Chronicle, 4 June 2024, https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/suspect-arrested-in-delivery-man-death/article_63b25cf5-3ced-5fb2-a0a5-d5221d3bc357.html.
  9. Kevin Sheehan and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon. "Accused Queens 'duck sauce killer' Glenn Hirsch to be released on $500K bail." New York Post, 27 June 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/06/27/accused-queens-duck-sauce-killer-glenn-hirsch-to-be-released-on-500k-bail/.
  10. Kevin Sheehan and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon. "Alleged 'duck sauce killer' Glenn Hirsch commits suicide: sources." New York Post, 5 August 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/08/05/alleged-duck-sauce-killer-glenn-hirsch-commits-suicide-sources/.

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