A 52-year-old worker at a Bushwick bodega was shot to death by a gunman who entered his store early Thursday, authorities say.
Police say the gunman, believed to be in his 20s, walked into the Central Avenue shop shortly before 7 a.m. and fired several times.
It's not clear how many times the victim, identified as Swadh Maged of Brooklyn, was hit.
The shooter then fled in a white van, apparently without taking anything from the bodega.
Maged was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police believe he may have been targeted.
Maged was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police believe he may have been targeted.
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Police have released surveillance video of the suspect walking into the store. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
Maged moved to the United States last year from Yemen, where his wife and 13 children still live, according to police and his cousin. He had been working at the bodega for about a year to support his family.
Maged moved to the United States last year from Yemen, where his wife and 13 children still live, according to police and his cousin. He had been working at the bodega for about a year to support his family.
A cousin, Ibrahim Alnmar, said some customers who asked for credit at the deli caused "trouble" when Maged refused.
But neighbors who enjoyed going to the deli said he was "always very courteous."
"It's heartwrenching, very painstaking for anyone's life to be taken away," said Karen Farmer.
Neighbor Jmda Mohamed said he was "a very nice person."
"He's very friendly, he's very kind," said Mohamed. "It's sad."
Community activists called for better police protection for bodega workers in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
"This is a cold-blooded murder. This should not happen in New York City," said Fernando Mateo of the Bodega Association. "NYPD needs to put more resources in area like this, in areas where we know there's a lot of uncertainty."
