The NYPD is continuing the search for a suspect believed to be behind two recent deadly shootings in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Surveillance video obtained by NY1 shows a man walking into 149 Grill and Deli in the Bronx with his hands in his pockets. Moments later, he’s seen pulling out a handgun and shooting before going over the counter and grabbing cash from the register.
Police said a 33-year-old customer was shot in the chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
“It’s shocking,” said Jose Bravo, who works at the store. “You know, the store’s been here for 10 years and nothing crazy happened like that.”
A memorial began forming for the victim outside the storefront Tuesday afternoon as police investigated a red sweatshirt possibly left behind by the suspect a block away.
Investigators are now looking for 31-year-old Jesus Acosta from the Bronx. They said he’s also linked to Sunday’s deadly shooting in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, where one man died and another was injured inside America’s Best Wings and Pizza.
The NYPD confirms at least one of the victims was an employee of the restaurant.
Members of the United Bodegas of America held a news conference Tuesday calling on state and city leaders to crack down on crime by increasing mandatory punishments for those who own an illegal gun.
They also want the city to help fund and expand panic buttons at bodegas.
“The bodega had not gotten a panic button, therefore they weren’t able to alert the cops as the crime was being committed,” said UBA co-founder Fernando Mateo.
According to the latest NYPD data, shooting incidents in the 44th Precinct are down 11.8% year-to-date.
The UBA is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who has information that leads to an arrest.