Suspect in fatal Bronx deli shooting caught on video also wanted for another deadly shooting, police say
A terrifying shooting and robbery caught on video inside a Bronx bodega took the life of a 33-year-old customer inside.
Police said the gunman is also wanted for a murder in Brooklyn earlier this week.
The video shows a man in a hooded sweatshirt walking into 139 Grill and Deli on East 149th Street just after midnight Tuesday morning. The man brazenly opens fire, fatally shooting a 33-year-old man inside before taking his backpack.
Store employees are seen ducking for cover as more shots are fired.
The suspect can be seen on video stealing cash from the register before leaving.
"I almost died right there," a store clerk named Mohamed said. "He came and took the money. I let him take everything, and he left."
Bullets hit the walls just inches from where he stood.
Surveillance video captures the suspect leaving the store.
The 33-year-old man who was shot was taken to the hospital and later died. Police have not released his identity, but Tuesday, there was a growing memorial with pictures and messages addressed to "Pluccy."
"Everybody loved him over here. He was a good friend," friend Andre Doe said.
Police are looking for the gunman, who they say was last seen wearing a maroon sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and white sneakers.
"It's kind of hard making a sandwich today. You don't know if someone is going to come in like that and start shooting," deli worker Jose Bravo said.
The NYPD identified the suspect as Jesus Acosta, 31, of the Bronx. They say he's 5 feet 11 inches tall, about 175 pounds, has short brown hair and brown eyes. He has the word "Bronx" tattooed on his hand, and the name "Bobby" tattooed on his left forearm, police say.
Acosta has been out on parole since April. He served more than 10 years behind bars for assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Acosta is also being sought for a deadly shooting in Brownsville, Brooklyn. It happened at around midnight Sunday at the American Best Wings and Pizza restaurant on Rockaway Avenue. In that shooting, a 44-year-old man was shot dead, and a 39-year-old man was shot in the leg.
The United Bodegas of America is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the shooter's arrest and conviction.
"The government must protect the bodega workers who serve New York around the clock," said spokesperson Radhamés Rodríguez. "Someone knows this shooter. Help us get him off the streets."
United Bodegas of America says the bodega did not have a panic button.
"We need to pass stronger gun laws," said Fernando Mateo of United Bodegas of America.
"It's crazy. You feel for your coworkers. You don't want anyone getting hurt or anything. Everyone wants to come to work and get back home, back to their families," Bravo said.
"Just horrific this is going on in our community. Something really needs to be done. That would start with more police presence," said area resident Jamie Johnson.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website or via DM on X, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
