On Saturday, April 25th, at Sal’s Deli and Grocery on Ave. B and East 13th st in the East Village, a deli worker was shot after a dispute with another man. The suspect was also wounded and is recovering at a hospital, but no arrests have been made. The deli was closed on Sunday, and an impromptu memorial was set up in honor of the victim. The victim 28-year-old Abdul Seleh, was found with a gunshot wound to the torso.
Both the victim and the suspect were rushed to the hospital. The victim was pronounced dead, but the other man is recovering.
Around 11:30 pm Saturday, a “pop, pop, pop” was heard from neighbors who say that Saleh, the victim, just got back from vacation and was back at work Saturday. The NYPD says the shooting happened after some kind of argument that started inside the deli and spilled outside across the street.
Detectives were going door-to-door Sunday looking for more evidence. Some neighbors say there was someone who gave some of the workers in the past.
The United Bodegas of America is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. “This is devastating for our community. We are under threat in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Abdul was a hardworking family man serving his neighborhood. This should never happen to anyone trying to earn a living,” says UBA president Radahmes.
“We are offering a reward because enough is enough. We stand with Adul’s family and will continue fighting for stronger protections for all bodega workers. We need help and commitment from the City, the State, DAs, and the Judges to reform Bail Reform Laws, Meteo said in a statement.
Sources familiar with the investigation report that the surviving man is being investigated as a suspect after his wound was found to have been a bullet that ricocheted into his body, but no official arrest has been made.
The investigation remains ongoing, and an arrest is still to be made.
