A 28-year-old deli worker was fatally shot late Saturday night after a dispute inside his East Village store escalated into violence, according to police and witnesses.
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Authorities reported that Abdul Saleh was shot in the torso just after 11:30 p.m. outside Sal’s Deli & Grocery at the corner of East 13th Street and Avenue B. The incident began inside the store, where Saleh was seen arguing with another man before the confrontation moved outside, where gunfire erupted.
The other man, believed to be the gunman, was also struck and transported to a hospital in stable condition. Reports indicate he may have been wounded after one of his bullets ricocheted and struck him. No arrests have been announced.
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Friends and customers described Saleh as a generous presence in the neighborhood. “If you were hungry and you didn’t have money, they would not let you go hungry,” remarked Eby Castro, describing how Saleh and his family often extended credit to those in need. Ciara Lugo, a longtime friend, also pointed to his kindness, recalling how he regularly helped members of the community.
Saleh had recently returned from Yemen, where his young children live. A friend noted that he had been on a FaceTime call with his daughter shortly before the shooting.
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The killing has renewed concerns about safety in bodegas. The United Bodegas of America called for additional protections, including panic buttons that connect directly to police. In a previous interview, Saleh warned about rising violence, stating that “people got shot, killed some.”
The organization is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest as the investigation continues.
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