A 35-year-old homeless shelter employee was fatally stabbed outside of his workplace on Thursday evening, sparking community outrage and raising concerns about safety within Brooklyn's vulnerable populations. Detectives say the male victim was found around 6:15 p.m. lying injured in the lobby of the shelter located at 1691 New York Ave. with multiple slash and stab wounds to the neck and abdomen.
The stabbing occurred near the Days Inn hotel-turned-shelter and was reportedly initiated by a masked suspect. According to police sources, the employee ran back inside the shelter seeking help after being attacked around 6:20 p.m.
Emergency responders transported him to Brookdale Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Eyewitness accounts reveal the victim was left bleeding out before paramedics arrived. Police have stated they are still searching for the unknown suspect, who was dressed entirely in black, wearing both a ski mask and baseball cap.
The victim was employed by a nonprofit organization associated with the Department of Homeless Services, but the shelter itself is not operated by the city agency. Pedro, who lives at the shelter, expressed disbelief at the tragedy, stating, “He was a good man. I just spoke to him yesterday. He was helping people get apartments.” Pedro reminisced about their last conversation where the victim was trying to assist him with finding housing, lamenting, “Makes no sense. It makes no sense to me.”
Three women who also worked at the shelter chose not to comment as the grim situation unfolded.
The Department of Homeless Services commented on the incident, deeming the killing “an absolutely horrific tragedy,” and highlighted the role of frontline staff serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. They emphasized the dedication these workers show daily, often placing themselves at risk to support some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Local residents noted growing concerns about violence, particularly with the influx of shelters operating within the community. “It’s crazy,” said one local man working nearby. He pointed out another recent stabbing incident occurred near the shelter, saying, “I’m gonna move down south.”
Another nearby resident, Camar Oliver, 46, voiced his frustrations about the security measures at his own shelter, claiming, “But the security is bullshi-t. You can get in with anything.”
Ahmed, who works at a convenience store close to the shelter, mentioned the area's evolution, noting, “They turned all the hotels around here to shelters during COVID.” He said, “There are four or five more around here. A lot of stabbings. A lot of trouble.”
This unfortunate incident highlights the safety concerns facing both shelter workers and residents. With tensions steadily rising, it reveals the need for improved support and security measures surrounding these facilities and the individuals they serve.
