A tragic shooting took place inside a Bronx deli on Monday morning, leaving one man dead after an altercation escalated into violence. The incident occurred at 1712 University Avenue, just before 7:30 a.m., leaving residents and friends of the victim shaken and concerned about safety in the area.
Details of the Incident
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The victim, identified by friends as Felipe, was a man in his 30s who was fatally shot in the torso. Emergency responders rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. According to police, the fatal shooting occurred following a dispute inside the deli, but details about the altercation remain unclear as investigations continue.
A Troubled Life: Friends Remember the Victim
Felipe’s friends described him as a well-meaning person who struggled with personal issues throughout his life. Manuel De La Rosa, a close friend, expressed his grief at the loss, saying, “I don’t feel good, my friend died.” While remembering Felipe, another friend shared, “He was a good guy but made too many mistakes.”
Felipe’s troubled past included struggles with the law and drug addiction, according to a childhood friend who grew up with him in the Dominican Republic. Despite these challenges, Felipe maintained relationships with those around him, often helping out at the deli where he occasionally slept in the basement.
Community Concerns Over Safety and Crime
The shooting has reignited concerns about safety in the neighborhood. Several local residents voiced their fears about the ongoing issues in the area, which they described as a hotspot for criminal activity.
“I never go inside. I don’t want to,” said Sylvia Pena, a resident who shared her concerns about frequenting the deli and the surrounding area. Others echoed her sentiments, pointing to the open drug dealings that regularly occur nearby.
“This area is very dangerous,” warned one resident, while another added, “Some people come here to buy drugs, and they don’t care who’s around.”
A Persistent Problem in the Neighborhood
Despite frequent police patrols in the area, locals believe that little has been done to curb the problems occurring outside the deli. Community members, including Francisco Marte from the Bodegas and Small Business Group, expressed frustration that illegal activities are putting store employees and customers at risk.
“They put at risk the people, the customers, and the employees of the store,” Marte said, highlighting the need for better law enforcement measures to address the underlying issues in the area.
Investigation Continues
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The community, still reeling from the tragic loss, hopes that justice will be served and that action will be taken to make their neighborhood safer.