Police: Innocent bystander Reda Girgis shot dead outside Washington Heights deli
NEW YORK - Violence in New York City claimed the life of another innocent bystander: 66-year-old Reda Girgis.
Girgis was a father who was looking for his son at the family-owned Chop Cheese Deli 2 bodega in Washington Heights.
Girgis was visiting from Egypt, here to celebrate the birth of a grandchild. Instead, he was gunned down in front of his son's deli by a bullet meant for someone else.
"All of a sudden I saw people laying on the floor," Gamal Abouelezz said.
Abouelezz was overcome with guilt, despite nearly getting shot himself. The manager of Chop Cheese Deli 2 was ending his shift Tuesday evening when bullets started flying, striking the owner's father who was standing nearby.
"He had the phone, but the line is from Egypt, so it didn't work. He asked me the WiFi so he could communicate," Abouelezz said.
Surveillance video captured the tragedy that followed. As Girgis walked out to the corner of Broadway and West 162nd to call his son, shots rang out and people started to run. Girgis crumpled to the ground.
"I tell you the truth. I'm from the Middle East, we cannot let somebody like that. I want to hold him or something but the police stop me and said stay away," Abouelezz said.
Girgis had just arrived in the city a few days prior to visit his son and pregnant daughter-in-law.
As police continue searching for the gunman who mistakenly shot him from a grey Audi, waves of customers flooded the business to offer their condolences.
"These are hardworking people, they don't deserve this," Washington Heights resident Elizabeth Diaz said.
"There used to be a point in my life when I was homeless and they used to offer me food for free. It's amazing what they used to do for me," resident Jessica Ramos said.
Abouelezz too is trying to work through the pain.
"He is a family man," Abouelezz said. "We don't have a relationship but I feel too close to him from the beginning when I met him."
According to witnesses, there was a large group of teenagers hanging out by the deli at the time of the shooting.
They believe on of the kids was the intended target.
"Somebody's going to get caught," one person said.
"It's sad. I mean, I'm out here right now getting breakfast. It could be any of us," Cesar Nau said.
Detectives remained on scene Wednesday morning.
"He just came out here to smoke a cigarette," one person said.
Officers put up posters on the street, asking area people to send tips.
"I've been here for over 35 years and it's just getting worse and worse," Nau said.
"This store is in a dangerous spot. Not the first time, it's a couple of times already something has happened with guns," Washington Heights resident Jose Rodriguez said.
The 24-hour deli was closed overnight, but has since reopened.
Police are still searching for the suspect.
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 their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.