According to police and other sources, two employees at a Brooklyn deli became involved in a violent altercation that ended with the death of a man known to locals as a “neighborhood nuisance.” This incident happened Monday night.
The victim, identified as Jerry Hill, 59, from Bushwick, had a long criminal history, reportedly with over two dozen arrests. He returned home after 7 PM on Monday but collapsed shortly after reaching his residence, according to officers and witnesses.
Though one deli worker was questioned by the police, local residents expressed to the Post that they considered Hill a frequent troublemaker in the area.
One neighborhood resident commented, “If there was a petition to keep deli workers out of prison, I’d sign it. For years, he’s caused issues, and he and his brothers have instilled fear in this community.” They added, “I can’t express how frustrating it is, it’s just a difficult situation.”
Records indicate that Hill had been charged for an assault on July 25th.
Sources mentioned that Hill had a total of 26 arrests to his name.
On the night of the incident, Hill reportedly got into a dispute with two deli workers, aged 48 and 37, during which he was struck on the head with a baton. He then stumbled home, collapsing in his apartment on Jefferson Street, sources say.
Hill’s brothers tried to assist him and called 911, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to Elmhurst Hospital around 8 PM.
Following this incident, the two deli workers were taken into custody in District 83.
Amid the turmoil, Hill’s brothers disputed the accusations against him. Christopher Hill stated, “The way they talk about my brother makes him sound like a burglar or a thug, which he definitely wasn’t. I want everyone to know that he was one of the kindest people you could meet. If he was your friend, he truly was your friend.”
He further added, “My siblings have gone through a lot. The community is painting them as thugs when in reality, that’s not who they are.”
