A Bronx father who served more than two years in prison on Rikers Island for an unknown knife attack was stabbed to death outside a noisy bar early Saturday morning, police and family said.
Police said Barraquiel Castellan, 32, was stabbed in the neck during an argument outside El Chicanito bar and restaurant on East 153rd Street in Melrose on February 3, police said, and some locals said He announced that he has questions about the impact the nightlife spot is having on the neighborhood.
“He gave without expecting anything in return,” the victim’s 29-year-old sister, Olivia Castellan, said of her brother.
“He would see someone fighting and try to break it up. He was never violent towards anyone,” she added. “He commanded the respect of the community.”
On Monday, a temporary memorial to Barakiel was set up outside the bar, where local residents left candles spelling out the initials of Barakiel’s name, “BARA.”
Barakiel left behind two daughters, aged 9 and 1, and said her eldest son was “in shock” over his father’s sudden death.
“She can’t believe it.” But she said, “Now he’s with Grandpa.” Now they’re together,” Olivia said of her and Baraquiel’s father, who was killed in Mexico last year.
Family members say the family has faced several recent tragedies, including Baraquiel’s 27-month wrongful imprisonment on Rikers Island, which has taken a toll on Baraquiel and his family.
“When he was at Rikers, we felt like we were right there with him,” Olivia said. “He had PTSD…It took a toll on him mentally.
“It was really difficult for us,” Olivia added. “You’re going to disappear from your daughters’ lives. You’re paying for something you didn’t do.”
After being exonerated and released, Barakiel was just beginning to put the pieces of his life back together.
“After that, he turned his life around. He took care of his daughters and was a great father,” she said, adding that the family filed a lawsuit against NYPD Barachiel in 2018, and that his He pointed out that even after his death, “we intend to pursue this.”
The night her brother was killed, Olivia was disgusted to see El Chicanito being carried on as usual.
“I want that place shut down. Someone was killed there. Killed there. That same night, I went there and they were open,” she told the Post. .
“Are our lives on hold while they can move on? Are our lives on pause? They can just move on, party and go about their business? I wish we could, but we have to make plans to bury our brother.”
El Chicanito operates out of a nondescript cement building with only two windows, both boarded up. Neighbors and business owners say the watering hole sometimes attracts violent patrons.
“The community is very scared. The residents are scared. Everyone is talking and complaining and the city is not doing anything,” said Steve, owner of A&Z Electronics, which is located on the same corner as the bar. Jacobs told the Post.
Yvette said the bar and another nightspot targeting teenagers have made neighbors nervous.
“There’s always blood here,” Avett said. “Exactly a year ago, someone got stabbed there and died on the spot.”
Police are soliciting leads from the public and releasing photos of possible suspects in the case, but as of Monday no arrests had been made.
A phone number listed for El Chicanito went unanswered Monday afternoon.
