On the early morning of March 31, 2024, Stefon Barnes, a 29-year-old Black male, was fatally shot inside a deli in the Bronx, New York. Barnes was at the Gourmet Deli located at 851 East Tremont Avenue simply to buy a bag of chips after finishing his work as a club promoter. What began as a routine stop for a late-night snack turned tragic when an altercation broke out between two other men inside the establishment.
The dispute escalated when one of the men attempted to rob the other at
gunpoint. During the struggle that ensued, the assailant discharged his firearm. The bullet missed its intended target and tragically struck Barnes in the right thigh. Emergency responders rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead. Friends and family described Barnes as a happy person who loved to sing, dance, and spend time with his family. He also worked at a center for young people with developmental disabilities.
The New York City Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and canvassed the area for witnesses. Their efforts led to the identification of a suspect. On April 17, 2024, police arrested 31-year-old Schward Bee of Mount Vernon in connection with the fatal shooting. Bee was subsequently charged with murder, robbery, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities stated that Barnes was an innocent bystander and not the intended target of the violence that claimed his life.
