Three people were stabbed on Tuesday night after a fight escalated outside of a Brooklyn bodega, and one of the victims died, according to police.
Severiano Reyes, 36, was inside the store at 340 Roebling Street in Williamsburg with cousins and friends at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when the fight began.
What caused the altercation is unclear: Police say another man tried to take a woman’s photo; but a witness who was there said the fight broke out when the man began filming Reyes.
Family friend Phil Proszowski, who was at the bodega when Reyes was stabbed, said that the incident was the latest confrontation in a long-standing beef between the two men, who have known each other since they were children and attended the same school.
“He was basically provoking him by trying to take pictures and other stuff,” said Proszowski.
The fight spilled outside, according to several witnesses. Then, the suspect pulled out a knife, fatally stabbing Reyes in the neck and injuring two other people who tried to intervene, including one of Reyes’ cousins and a 45 year-old man, who has not yet been identified by police. They both survived their injuries.
Severiano Reyes, 36, was fatally stabbed Tuesday in Williamsburg.
On Wednesday morning, several members of Reyes’ family gathered outside the bodega to mourn his death. They said he was a father of four who was born and raised in a building just across the street from where he died.
“I’m gonna miss his smile,” said cousin William Soberol, his voice breaking. “He was always happy no matter what the situation.”
Although Reyes was currently living in nearby Bushwick, his strong ties to family and friends in Williamsburg kept him returning often, Soberol said.
Reyes, who was known as “John,” was visiting the block on Tuesday night and hanging out near the bodega with two of Soberol’s sisters when the fight broke out. One of the sisters, 27, was stabbed in the wrist when she tried to defend Reyes, Soberol said.
Three people were stabbed Tuesday night after a fight escalated at this Williamsburg bodega.
Reyes was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where Proszowski said about 20 friends and relatives waited for hours for news.
“Everyone had hope that maybe he’ll make it,” he recalled.
Around 2 a.m., detectives finally said he had died.
The other victims were taken to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in stable condition.
Police said the suspect fled the scene, and they have not made any arrests.
But Proszowski said he hopes cops are able to track him down quickly— especially since many witnesses know him from the neighborhood.
Reyes worked various jobs, including as a carpenter and electrician, to make ends meet.
“He always took care of his family. Very good man,” Soberol recalled.
“They were waiting for him to come home and eat chicken.”
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
