Man Attacks Bronx Bodega Workers with Butcher Knife in Unprovoked Incident

In a disturbing incident captured on surveillance video, a man wielding a butcher knife attempted to assault two employees at a Bronx bodega in an unprovoked attack. The event transpired on Monday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. at 3J’s Deli Grocery, located on Anderson Avenue near West 167th Street in the Highbridge neighborhood.

The perpetrator, identified as 29-year-old Tyrell Mata, subsequently faced charges including felony assault, menacing, and weapons possession following his arrest. Video footage reveals Mata entering the store, where he provocatively approached the counter while brandishing the knife. Attempts to breach a plexiglass door failed, leading him to target the employees through an open section of the counter.

According to witnesses, Mata allegedly has a history of creating disturbances in the area, with frequent visits to the bodega where he has been known to provoke confrontations. Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for United Bodegas of America, expressed concerns over the repeated incidents involving Mata, highlighting that he has been arrested for similar offenses multiple times in the recent past. These arrests did not, however, result in sustained consequences, allowing him to return to the streets shortly after each incident.

The employees reacted quickly as the assailant made several stabbing motions toward them. One worker, equipped with a baseball bat, pursued Mata as he fled the scene. Law enforcement officials mentioned that the workers reported Mata as a local troublemaker, posing a substantial risk to their safety.

Nazario Marte, one of the attacked workers and a Dominican immigrant who has been employed at the bodega for four months, described the traumatic experience. He noted that during the altercation, Mata urged him to come outside and that his wife was contacted to alert the police, as Marte has limited English proficiency. Since the attack, Marte expressed fears that have prevented him from returning to work.

Mateo stressed the potential for fatal consequences if Mata had successfully moved behind the counter, advocating for the installation of panic buttons in bodegas. Such measures, he argues, would enable workers to summon police assistance rapidly, thereby enhancing their safety in critical situations. The urgency of the matter has been communicated to local authorities, emphasizing the immediate need for support and funding to protect bodega employees from escalating violence.

This incident has underscored the ongoing concerns surrounding safety in urban neighborhoods and the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with repeat offenders. As community leaders advocate for increased protective measures, the question remains: how can local authorities ensure the safety of vulnerable workers within their communities?

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