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On a somber Friday afternoon, a 16-year-old boy lost his life in a tragic shooting at a Brooklyn bodega. The incident unfolded during a violent altercation between two teenagers, as reported by both police and the manager of the store.
The victim, identified as Marquise Byfield, was struck by gunfire at least twice inside the Livonia Deli & Grocery located at 909 Livonia Avenue in the New Lots neighborhood. The shooting occurred around 4:15 p.m., according to police reports.
Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene to find Byfield suffering from severe gunshot wounds to his torso and groin. Sadly, despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.
Witnesses, including the deli’s manager, Karrar Obaid, 35, recounted the moments leading up to the shooting. Obaid informed the Daily News that Byfield, hailing from Brownsville, had been engaged in a physical confrontation with another teenager inside the store.
“The first one entered, followed closely by the second, and they immediately began fighting,” Obaid described. “I was positioned behind the counter, and as soon as we heard gunshots, we all dropped to the floor.”
“There was blood everywhere.”
There have been 15 shootings within the 75th precinct where Byfield was killed, from the start of the year through April 19, according to NYPD data.
Shootings are up 36% year-to-date, police data show. During the same period last year, there were 11 shooting incidents.
The suspect, who is believed to be 15 or 16 years old, is still on the loose as of Saturday morning, according to police.
No suspects have been publicly identified and the investigation is ongoing.