Bodega Community Rallies After Clerk’s Tragic Death: Funds Raised to Support Family and Catch Killer
Bodega owners in New York City are rallying support after the tragic death of Nazim Berry, a Brooklyn store clerk fatally shot by a customer over a $2 cigarillo. Outraged by the incident, members of the United Bodegas of America have raised funds to assist Berry’s family with burial expenses and aid law enforcement in apprehending the assailant.
READ: New York Businesses Ordered to Require Masks Indoors or Vaccine Proof
Bodega
Nazim Berry, 36, lost his life when a customer, angered by his refusal to provide a free Black & Mild, shot him in the head outside Amin Deli in Crown Heights. Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for the bodega group, expressed the collective sorrow, stating, “We lost one of our co-workers. Unfortunately, we can’t bring him back. He was shot in the head over a minor incident that turned violent.”
The United Bodegas of America contributed $8,000 towards Berry’s burial costs and an additional $10,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. The financial support aims to alleviate the burden on Berry’s family during this challenging time.
Images of the suspect, wearing glasses and a black-and-white varsity jacket with the letter “D” on the left side, have been released by the police. The motive behind the shooting stemmed from a disagreement over a nominal charge for a cigarillo.
Berry’s grieving mother, Danette Hollie, expressed gratitude for the bodega owners’ generosity, stating, “This donation of $8,000 means the world to my family. We didn’t have the money to lay Nazim to rest. No one stepped up and covered the cost. No one has offered financial help during this terrible loss. I’m so grateful that my son will have a decent resting place.”
The incident underscores the challenges faced by bodegas, with violence and conflicts occasionally erupting in these community establishments. Bodegas have been at the center of criminal incidents in recent years, highlighting the need for increased safety measures and community support.
As the search for the suspect continues, the bodega community’s solidarity in supporting Berry’s family serves as a poignant reminder of the tight-knit relationships within these local businesses. The tragedy has prompted reflection on the broader issue of violence affecting bodegas, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and proactive measures to ensure the safety of store clerks and patrons alike.
