Bronx, New York – Stefon Barnes, a 29-year-old bystander, tragically lost his life in a bodega in Bronx, New York, during an attempted robbery by an armed gunman. The incident occurred on Easter Sunday at the Gourmet Deli on East Tremont Avenue near Marmion Avenue, where Barnes was caught in the crossfire as the thief targeted another shopper. The thief, brandishing a gun, attempted to rob a customer, but a struggle ensued, leading to a fatal shot that struck Barnes in the right thigh, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
Barnes was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The entire incident was captured on video, showing Barnes innocently looking at a rack of chips before the chaos erupted. Moments before the shooting, the bodega was filled with revelers, including a woman wearing bunny ears, dancing and singing.
Eyewitness Antonio Sanchez, 64, revealed that he was in the store just minutes before the shooting occurred, emphasizing that Barnes was not involved in the altercation and was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sanchez described Barnes as calm and friendly, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking. The community mourned the loss of Barnes by setting up a makeshift memorial outside the deli, with heartfelt messages and offerings left in his memory.
The NYPD released a photo of the suspected shooter, urging the public to come forward with any information. The shooter is described as wearing a black jacket over a black hoodie, along with black sweatpants and sneakers, with a medium complexion and standing between 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall. The search for the perpetrator continues as the community grapples with the senseless loss of an innocent life.
As the investigation unfolds, friends, family, and neighbors remember Barnes as a victim of a senseless act of violence that has shaken the Bronx community. The tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the need for increased vigilance and safety measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. Barnes’ memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, as they seek justice for his unnecessary and premature passing.