A 37-year-old bodega worker in New York City was fatally shot on a Brooklyn street after reportedly refusing to give a man a free cigar, according to his mother.
Nazim Berry was shot in the head at almost 4:15 p.m. on Franklin Avenue near the Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Museum, according to the New York Police Department. He was transported to Kings County Hospital Center, where he was declared deceased, according to the authorities, as per Fox News.
NYC Bodega Worker Shot Over Black and Mild Dispute
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Police gather at the scene of a shooting at the 36 St subway station on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. According to authorities, at least 29 people were reportedly injured, including 10 with gunshot wounds, during a shooting at the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue station in the Sunset Park neighborhood.
A disagreement over a Black and Mild cigar tragically led to Berry's death, despite his long tenure with the company. With the intention of obtaining a free cigar, the suspect accosted Berry inside the store, which is when the confrontation started. According to Danette Hollie, the devastated mother of the victim, Berry did not comply with the request, which resulted in a disagreement between the two of them.
After the initial altercation, the suspect escaped the business, but he returned shortly after, equipped with a firearm. The altercation between Berry and the aggressor became more intense outside of the bodega at around 4:15 p.m., which led to a physical altercation between the two involved.
The suspect shot Berry to death by pointing the pistol at his head and then shooting him many times. In a short amount of time, Berry was transported to Kings County Hospital Center, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead.
The suspect, who was described as escaping on foot, was able to avoid quick apprehension, leaving the authorities with an investigation that is still continuing and no arrests made at this point in time about the suspect, according to New York Post.
Union Offers Reward in Bodega Worker's Tragic Death
Danette Hollie, the victim's mother, mentioned that her son had worked at the bodega for a long time and had faced difficulties with customers who wanted free items. She identified Berry's caring demeanor, describing him as a "wonderful individual." Hollie shared that Berry, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had routine meetings with a case worker.
The United Bodegas of America, a union for bodega workers, announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, denouncing the incident as an alarming reflection of the rising crime in the city.
Radahmes Rodriguez, president of the union, expressed concern, stating, "This is simply out of control. We cannot continue to do business in a City plagued with criminals that simply want to take over our properties."
The community is in mourning at the loss of Berry, and a vigil has been scheduled in front of Amin Deli, the location of the awful happening, to remember the victim and condemn the senseless act of violence that occurred as a result of a disagreement around a Black & Mild cigar. The inquiry into what happened is still in progress and in order to pay respect to the memory of the local institution, relatives have built a makeshift shrine in front of the bodega, New York Daily News reported.
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