Teen worker at Brooklyn bodega shot in head by shoplifter, critically hurt
A teenager working at his family’s Brooklyn bodega was clinging to life after being shot in the head during a struggle with a shoplifter, police and sources said Sunday.
The 18-year-old victim, identified by friends as Zayid Muthana, was working at M&M Grocery Corp. on Nostrand Ave. near Avenue D in East Flatbush when two men came into the store about 6:05 p.m. Saturday, police said.
The victim and the men got into an argument after at least one of the men tried to steal something — and when Muthani told the shoplifters to leave or pay up, one pulled out a gun and fired, sources said.
The teen was struck in the back of the head and rushed to Kings Country Hospital in critical but stable condition.
In a Facebook post late Saturday, the Yemeni American Merchants Association said Muthana’s father is staying by his side in the hospital.
“We are outraged by the rise of violent attacks against small businesses and stand by our small-business owners to get justice,” the post reads.
The two men fled and have not been caught.
For one worker at a nearby deli, the shooting was a stark reminder that bodega workers are often in the crosshairs of criminals.
Malek, 19, who gave only his first name, said his uncle was shot and killed working at a deli in Manhattan about two decades ago.
“It happens every day,” he said. “Some people take stuff they don’t wanna pay for. Some people, they’re on crack or something. We’re dealing with different mentalities.”
Malek said he typically won’t confront a thief.
“I hold back and let them go because I don’t wanna get shot,” he said. “Life is more important than $5, $10.”
As for Saturday’s shooting, he said, “It hurts. It hurts so bad. It makes me afraid.”
With John Annese
