What to Know
- Authorities are looking for a man in his 40s who allegedly put a bullet in the back of a 28-year-old father's head in a Brooklyn deli
- The mother of the victim, who has a 2-year-old son, tells News 4 her son knew the shooter, though their relationship wasn't clear
- She said she couldn't imagine why anyone would take his life and described him as a sweet kid; the investigation is ongoing
A man in his 40s put a gun to the back of a 28-year-old man's head after an argument in a Brooklyn deli and fired, killing the victim, father of a 2-year-old boy, in the middle of the store, authorities say.
The nature of the early morning argument at the deli on Utica Avenue in Crown Heights wasn't immediately clear, but police described it as a "small dispute."
Cops were called to the scene shortly after 5 a.m. and found Khadeem Anderson dead at the scene. The suspect drove off in a dark sedan, cops say.
Anderson's mother, Angeleta Lewis-McLaughlin, tells News 4 her son and the shooter knew each other, but sure wasn't sure of the relationship. She said Anderson spent the Fourth of July with family and friends and headed to the deli early Thursday with his girlfriend after the two left a barbecue.
According to the mother, the girlfriend said Anderson and the suspect spoke with one another, then something happened. Anderson said the conversation was over and walked away. Then he was shot.
Lewis-McLaughlin described her son as a "sweet kid" and said she couldn't understand why anyone would take his life.
"It's not fair," she said in tears. "It's not fair."
"A parent shouldn't have to bury their kid."
Another friend said Anderson kept to himself: "He always minded his business, he was good in the community. He didn't deserve this."
Blue police tape cordoned off the store as bystanders crowded around outside. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
