A barricade-free chess experience in Tompkins Square Park now possible

The area around the chess tables inside the 7th and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park is now barricade free. 

EVG reader Joann Falkenburg noted this scene yesterday...

The tables had been (mostly) behind barricades since the fatal double shooting here last July. In September, D.A. Bragg's office anounced the indictment of two men for their alleged role in the shooting that 74-year-old Fermin Frito. A second man was also shot in the ambush that erupted over a reported drug turf war. 

Hopefully this spot — sometimes referred to as the "crime corner," at least in the EVG comments — can remain barricade-free moving forward.

With the barricades removed and field house renovations finished, Tompkins Square Park is now fully open to the public.

Details on the arrests for the deadly shooting in Tompkins Square Park on July 12

Photo (from July 12) by Stacie Joy 

Reporting by Stacie Joy 

NYPD sources shared more details on the arrests of two suspects in the July 12 fatal double shooting in Tompkins Square Park. 

According to media accounts and police sources, the NYPD arrested two men last week — Angel Sardina, 63, and Rafael Macias, also 63. 

The men, who each have an extensive criminal record, "were both staying in a Pike Street shelter-type situation." Officers from the Gun Violence Suppression Unit made the arrests, and the two were processed at the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street. 

Sardina allegedly fired the shots that killed 74-year-old Fermin Frito, who was said to be selling drugs at the chess tables inside the 7th and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park. A second man, 44-year-old Edwin Rivera, was also shot in the ambush just before 10 a.m. It's not immediately clear what role Macias played in the shooting. 

Public records show that the charges against Sardina include murder in the second degree. He is being held without bail at the Eric M. Taylor Center in East Elmhurst. 

Police previously said this was a turf war over drug sales. "This is a targeted attack against a perceived drug rival," an NYPD source told us last month. 

The chess tables remain closed behind barricades, and officers from the 9th and 13th Precincts have been on patrol in and around the Park—both on foot and in vehicles. Members of the NYPD's Mounted Unit have also been spotted patrolling the area. 

In the wake of this incident, the 9th Precinct is emphasizing its commitment to community safety and is encouraging residents to participate in its upcoming National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., an event designed to strengthen police-community partnerships.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Police: Turf war over drug trade cause of last week's deadly shooting in Tompkins Square Park 

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

As of 6:30 p.m. today, the chess tables were open for business inside the Seventh Street and Avenue A entrance to Tompkins Square Park... two days after a fatal double shooting here that claimed the life of a man in his 70s.

An NYPD vehicle and two uniformed officers were in the center of the Park near where the bands were performing this afternoon, though no one was stationed at the problem area (aka "crime corner") that has been closed off several times in recent years.

In the aftermath of yesterday's deadly shooting in Tompkins Square Park

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

After being shot near the chess tables in Tompkins Square Park yesterday morning, one of the two victims, a 44-year-old male, entered the Avenue A Deli and Grill between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, seeking help before collapsing, according to witnesses and police sources. 

EMTs took the man to Bellevue. He was out of surgery early last evening, though we have not heard an official update on his condition. 

The deli was expected to reopen after crime scene investigators finished their work last night. (These photos are from 6 p.m.)

The shooting occurred around 9:45 a.m., just inside the 7th and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park. One of the victims, a man in his 70s, died from his wounds. Police sources have said the shooting was drug-related. 

The suspect, who was seen in the area up to an hour before the shooting, ran toward Seventh Street and Avenue B after the gunfire. Police sources said he may have discarded the white gloves and hoodie he was wearing before fleeing. 

The NYPD has not yet released an official description of the suspect. 

The chess tables, a hot spot for criminal activity in recent years, will remain "closed until further notice," per an X post early yesterday afternoon from local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera...

My office is in contact w/@NYPD9Pct regarding the shooting at Tompkins Square Park. NYPD is investigating and multiple departments and city agencies are on notice to address ongoing and related criminal activity in this area. The chess area will be closed until further notice.

— NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera (@CMCarlinaRivera) July 12, 2024

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Updated 9 a.m. 

The Seventh and A entrance to the Park was open early this morning, with access to the chess tables... crime scene tape remained up on the fences nearby...

Updated 3 p.m.: The barricades are now blocking the chess tables (photo below by Stacie Joy)

[Updating] Two men shot, 1 fatally, at the chess tables in Tompkins Square Park this morning, police say

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

This is a developing story, and we will update you when more information becomes available. Find the latest info, as of July 19, here. Updated 7/27: Police reportedly arrested two men in connection with the shooting. We are verifying the information with the NYPD.

Two men were shot this morning around 9:45 at the chess tables near the entrance to Tompkins Square Park at Seventh Street and Avenue A, the NYPD has confirmed.

The condition of the two victims is not known at the moment. Updated 1:14 p.m. Police confirmed that one of the victims, a man in his 70s, has died. (EMTs took both shooting victims to Bellevue.)

Police sources tell us that the shooting was drug-related and that it involved "problematic people at the Park." The suspect, wearing a hoodie and mask, was seen fleeing down Seventh Street toward Avenue B. There are early reports of a white vehicle involved in a getaway. 

Police are canvassing the area and scrutinizing surveillance footage.

Updated: Police said the suspect was seen in and around the Park about 50 minutes prior to the shooting wearing gloves, a mask, and a hoodie. 

An EVG reader shared this with us: 

Around 9:45 a.m. I heard around 5-8 shots ring out (LOUD shots), followed by everyone fleeing the Park. I was in the dog run with a whole bunch of fellow owners, trying to get our very scared pups out of there in a hurry. I'm a 15-year resident [and this was the] first time I've been forced to flee like that.

This past March, there were two daytime shootings (by the same suspect who was later arrested) in the Park. In the first shooting on March 16, a bullet struck an innocent bystander, a 53-year-old tourist, in her right hip, which had to be surgically replaced. 

The chess tables have long been a problem, an area where there have been multiple reports of drug use and sales, fencing stolen property, and various fist/knife fights. 

The NYPD and Parks Enforcement Patrol barricaded the area for most of the summer of 2022. In October 2022, a delivery man was slashed in the face here in the afternoon. 

As we wrote in August 2022: "Eventually, the barricades are removed ... and nothing ever really changes." 

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

City clears and closes the area around the chess tables in Tompkins Square Park (Sept. 1, 2021)

The barricades return to block off the chess tables in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven

The barricades arrived once again (late last week) around the chess tables at the entrance to Tompkins Square Park at Seventh Street and Avenue A...

The city did this back in June, with a member of the Parks Enforcement Patrol saying that this section of the Park is "problematic." Eventually, the barricades are removed ... and nothing ever really changes.

This area was blocked off several times during the past two summers. During that time, there were reader reports about drug use, stolen property and fights. 

City once again closes the area around the chess tables in Tompkins Square Park

City officials today have placed barricades around the chess tables, blocking access to this populated area at the entrance to Tompkins Square Park at Seventh Street and Avenue A. 

One member of the Parks Enforcement Patrol told EVG correspondent Steven that this section of the Park is "problematic." 

An assortment of blankets, personal belongings, and at least one Citi Bike, remain inside the barricades. 

The city has blocked off this area several times during the past two summers. 

Last summer, residents complained about the activity around the chess tables, including drug use, stolen goods and knife fights.