In the early morning hours of May 22, 2015, a dispute that began inside a Bedford-Stuyvesant bar tragically spilled out onto the Brooklyn streets, ending the life of 24-year-old Derrick McMillan. The altercation, which started within the walls of the Why Not Bar on Bedford Avenue, escalated into deadly violence, leaving one man injured and McMillan with fatal gunshot wounds.
The vibrant neighborhood was shaken by the incident that unfolded near Lafayette Avenue.
As the conflict moved outside, McMillan was shot twice in the back. Another man, then 23 years old, was also struck by a bullet, sustaining a wound to his thigh. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and McMillan was transported to Woodhull Hospital, but his injuries proved to be too severe.
In the wake of the shooting, the New York Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Authorities released surveillance footage from the area in an effort to identify the individual responsible for McMillan's death. The video captured the chaotic moments of the aftermath, showing bullets shattering the glass of a nearby bus stop. While one person was taken into custody in connection with the incident, it was not immediately clear if this individual was the shooter.
Despite the initial detention and the ongoing investigation, public information regarding the identification of a definitive suspect or any subsequent arrests, charges, or a trial remains scarce. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the senseless act of violence that cut Derrick McMillan's life short.
