Police arrested and charged 31-year-old Schward Bee with murder in connection to the shooting death of 29-year-old Stefon Barnes during a botched robbery in a Bronx bodega on Easter Sunday. The incident occurred inside Gourmet Deli on East Tremont Avenue, where Bee attempted to rob a patron in a crowded store, leading to a struggle over his gun that resulted in Barnes being shot in the leg and ultimately dying from his injuries. Bee, who has a criminal record including prior arrests in the Bronx and a conviction for attempted robbery, was also charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon in this case.
Stefon Barnes, a party promoter who had just come from hosting a nearby event, was not the intended target of the robbery according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The victim was a friend of Barnes who intervened in the struggle to prevent Bee from robbing the other patron. Unfortunately, during the altercation, Barnes was fatally shot in the leg and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later after losing a significant amount of blood. The arrest of Schward Bee for murder shed light on the senseless violence that has become all too common in New York City, leaving innocent bystanders like Barnes caught in the crossfire of criminal activities.
Schward Bee’s criminal history included a conviction for attempted robbery that resulted in time served in state prison until his release on parole in 2017. His parole expired in 2020, but he now faces new charges of murder and robbery along with the possession of an illegal weapon in connection to Barnes’ death. Additionally, Bee has a prior arrest for menacing in Mount Vernon, adding to his troubled past with the law. The tragic loss of Barnes brought sorrow to his family and friends, who described him as a hardworking individual with a variety of jobs, including a store clerk, truck driver, and UPS delivery driver before his life was cut short by random violence.
Stefon Barnes’ family shared their grief over his untimely death, highlighting the need to address the escalating violence in New York City that has claimed too many lives. His uncle Anthony Barnes lamented that random and senseless killings have become all too common in the city, leaving innocent people like his nephew as victims of circumstances beyond their control. Similarly, Barnes’ aunt Teresa Barnes expressed concerns about the safety of the streets in New York, stating that the city has become increasingly dangerous for residents of all ages. She emphasized that the loss of Stefon was senseless and tragic, as he was merely an innocent bystander caught up in a violent incident that ended his life prematurely.
The tragic killing of Stefon Barnes underscored the prevalence of random violence in New York City, prompting calls for increased efforts to address the root causes of these incidents to prevent further loss of innocent lives. Barnes’ senseless death left his family and community mourning the loss of a hardworking and beloved individual who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the investigation into Barnes’ murder continues and Schward Bee faces charges for his role in the fatal shooting, the broader conversation about public safety and gun violence in urban areas like New York City remains a pressing concern for residents and law enforcement agencies alike. The need for comprehensive solutions to address these challenges and protect innocent bystanders like Stefon Barnes from becoming victims of violent crime is paramount to preventing future tragedies.
