A vigil was held in the Bronx for 27-year-old Michael Hernandez, who was fatally stabbed near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last Friday night. Family, friends, and community members gathered to honor Hernandez, and his family is demanding justice, urging anyone with information to come forward.
According to police, Hernandez was attacked just after 9 p.m. on March 14, 2025, at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenue, outside the Barclays Center. The attack occurred around the same time as a K-pop concert at the venue. Reports indicate that Hernandez was approached by a group and stabbed multiple times in the back and once in the chest. Despite first responders' attempts at CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hernandez's mother, Marisol Miranda, expressed her grief and anger at the vigil, stating, “I was told my kid was beaten, and after being beaten, they followed him to stab him to kill him.” She is calling for accountability, emphasizing that if the suspects are teenagers, they should still face adult charges. “If they were adolescents, I want them to be charged as adults. I want justice for my son,” Miranda insisted.
During the emotional gathering, family and friends released balloons in honor of Hernandez while chanting, “Justice for Michael R. Hernandez Jr.” This collective mourning highlights the impact of violence in the community, and the family is urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
As the NYPD continues its search for suspects in this tragic incident, the family remains steadfast in their demand for justice, hoping that public awareness can lead to critical information. Alvaro Hernandez, Michael's uncle, reflected on his nephew's last moments, sharing, “While they were doing CPR and trying to resuscitate him, his last words were, ‘Please don’t let me die.’”
The vigil served as both a memorial for Michael Hernandez and a call to action against violence in the community. As investigations proceed, community leaders note the need for collective responsibility in keeping streets safe and encouraging communication between law enforcement and neighborhoods.
This story serves as a painful reminder of the pervasive issue of violence faced by many urban communities, with family members seeking justice for loved ones taken too soon.
