Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Residents who live around Avenue B and Fourth Street were startled early this morning by the sound of a heated argument that escalated into gunfire.
Witnesses reported hearing an initial volley of three shots around 3 a.m., followed by three more moments later. Witnesses said at least one person was struck.
One shot shattered the Half Gallery's front door on the NW corner of Fourth and B. Another shell casing was discovered near a dumpster at 240 E. Fourth St./50 Avenue B.
Witnesses described seeing a man crouched behind a dumpster during the incident while another individual was spotted fleeing the scene.
Two neighbors managed to capture blurry cell phone images of at least one of the individuals involved, which have been turned over to the NYPD.
This is a developing story. We will update you when more information becomes available.
Updated 3 p.m.
A witness told us that one man was struck in the leg during the shooting. It is unknown whether he was the intended victim or a passerby.
Witnesses and other sources on the block said the argument stemmed from a party held on recent Saturday nights inside the former Lamia's Fish Market at 47 Avenue B. A witness who spoke with police said the event, allegedly hosted by Populares Cantina Mexicana, was shut down by the NYPD at 2 a.m.
There is a bullet hole inside the Half Gallery (between these two paintings)...
... and another in the door at 240 E. Fourth St./50 Avenue B.
Updated 11/27: Police said a suspect has been arrested in the shooting.
8 comments:
I heard this last night…. Wild. Glad no one was hurt.
Party like it's 1981. Some things I sure don't miss about the old days.
From 2 older EV Grieve threads:
6/26/24-"Owner Lamia Funti was previously involved with Le Souk, a longtime trouble spot on this block that eventually had its liquor license canceled by the State Liquor Authority in 2009."
10/25/16-"The location is the former Le Souk space, and the principal/proprietor of this new establishment (Lamia Funti) is the wife of Marcus Andrews (formerly, Marcus Jacobs, one of the principals of the old Le Souk along with his brother Sam Jacobs). She is the manager of the current Le Souk, now located on LaGuardia Place in the Village, which Marcus owns. She is proposing a restaurant, not a club/lounge like the old Le Souk or the current business on Laguardia, with only a Beer/Wine license and a 12 am closing every night. This type of license would typically be approved by the SLA without question. However, this situation is unusual and merits special consideration by them.
Even though Ms. Funti was not officially involved with the old Le Souk on Avenue B, she is associated with the Jacob family and their other businesses. At the current Le Souk, which she manages, there have been online reports of fights (involving the owner), a stabbing, plus 311 calls and complaints. Given this background, many involved in the Block Association believe that, even on her own (much less because of her familial affiliations), she does not run the kind of business we want on Avenue B."
Who knew?
Wow I go to that art gallery all the time to see the exhibits on display I cannot believe someone would shoot a bullet through the glass door. That takes me back to the bad old days of the LES before gentrification took hold.
Does this mean my rent can go down?
The new restaurant taking over the Lamia's Fish Market is a Caribbean restaurant and the owner assured us at the community board meeting (CB3) that it was going to be a quiet restaurant with no djs, parties, or live music. He's already violated his promise. The application he filed specifically states that his liquor license can be revoked if he's in violation. I think this is a serious issue, one that should require some action immediately. It's not enough to just post a comment. This new establishment is going to be trouble for the residents living on Avenue B. Does anyone know what the steps are to report to CB3? What can we do as a community to assure this doesn't happen again? I'd like to follow up with EV Grieve to send them the application so they can do some more digging. I think we as a community need to come together and put an end to establishments terrorizing local residents with this kind of activity. Who's with me?
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