An innocent bystander was shot and killed inside a Bronx warehouse by a gunman who was attempting to rob others, police and sources said Tuesday.
Authorities say Stephon Barnes, 29, was inside the Gourmet Deli on East Tremont Street near Marmion Street around 4:20 a.m. Easter Sunday when the gunman opened fire. , who allegedly tried to rob another shopper.
During the struggle, the gunman fired a bullet that struck Burns in his right thigh, police said.
Burns was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died from his injuries, authorities said.
Before the shooting, Barnes had just been browsing the store’s shelf of potato chips when the robbery occurred just a few steps from where he was standing. According to a video obtained by WABC.
Moments earlier, revelers, including a woman wearing bunny ears, were dancing and singing inside the deli, according to the video.
Antonio Sanchez, 64, told the Post he was inside the store buying soda and juice minutes before the gunshots rang out.
“[Barnes] He was in the store, but the fight had nothing to do with him,” Sanchez said. “He was just in the wrong place and the wrong time.”
Sanchez said Burns was calm and collected when he greeted him with, “Wassup, how are you doing?”
“I just left the store five minutes before the shooting and was across the street,” Sanchez added. “I heard the gunshots, but I thought they were firecrackers, which are common around here.
“What happened is a tragedy,” he said.
By Tuesday, a makeshift memorial had been set up outside the deli. A bouquet of flowers in a vase made from an Espolon Blanco tequila bottle, an unopened bottle of Don Julio tequila, a candle, and a message written by a mourner on a flat cardboard box taped to the window. . .
“You will be forever missed. They took your beautiful soul early,” one message said.
Another wrote: “Rest in peace Steffy.”
The NYPD released a photo early Tuesday morning showing the suspected gunman wearing a black jacket over a black hoodie, black sweatpants and sneakers.
He is described as having a medium complexion, approximately 5’10 to 6′ tall, and a medium build.
