NEW YORK, NY – A fish market worker in the Bronx has been arrested and charged with murder after he stabbed two brothers, killing one during a brawl inside the Harlem business.
34-year-old Bronx resident Junior Aquino Hernandez was also charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
According to police, on Tuesday, at around 9:45 pm, two men entered the market and one attempted to steal a container of shrimp. When confronted by store workers, the two men violently threw a chair and other items.
A brawl broke out inside the business, ending with Malik Burrell, 25, of Middle River, Maryland, suffering a fatal stab wound. His brother was also stabbed during the scuffle and treated at NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem for non-life-threatening injuries.
Family members of the deceased said the story told by workers at the market seemed fishy. According to relatives, Malik and his brother Robert were buying fish to celebrate the younger brother’s birthday. Family members said the brothers had the money to pay for their purchase and the story isn’t adding up.
Police are asking the public for information regarding this investigation. If you have any information regarding this incident, the New York City Police Department requests that you contact the NYPD Crime Stopper Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).