A man fatally stabbed a beloved worker at a Brooklyn bodega on Saturday, possibly thinking he could convince the victim he was a police officer in order to buy loose cigarettes, according to a witness who spoke with the Post.
The fugitive, dressed in dark long-sleeved button-downs with stripes, walked around stores in East New York on Sunday, tossing cash at the counter as he took pictures of bystanders prior to the incident.
The suspect, identified only as Omar by a shopkeeper, came in asking for a cigarette. The worker didn’t recognize him and hesitated to sell, aiming to avoid any trouble.
“He said, ‘I’m not a cop!’” suggested Omar. Things escalated quickly, and the situation went from casual to aggressive. “He got hooked. He just wanted to fight,” he added.
In New York City, selling “loose” or individual cigarettes is illegal.
Witnesses reported that the unidentified suspect became aggressive, throwing objects, including a credit card machine, during the confrontation. The worker, Diego Sandoval Nava, tried to calm him down.
“Diego came out and asked, ‘What happened? Why are you mad? We gave you what you wanted,’” said Omar. In response, the suspect continued insisting he wasn’t a police officer.
This led to a physical altercation where Nava was stabbed, and the attacker fled from the scene. The suspect remains at large.
Nava was quickly taken to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, but he unfortunately did not survive.
A friend and colleague of Nava shared how they had been working together at the Deli & Mini Market for at least six months. “Diego was a great person. He would often help others, even paying for kids’ sandwiches when they didn’t have enough money, trusting they would pay him back,” 15-year-old Nasser recalled. “He was always kind to everyone.”
After the incident, bystanders, including some who claimed to know the suspect, asserted that the bodega workers had provoked the attacker, arguing they acted in self-defense.
A witness mentioned that the suspect’s mother was seen yelling at him when he returned, expressing disbelief and concern for his actions.
