Suspect identified in stabbing death of Brooklyn bodega worker over loose cigarettes.
Authorities in New York are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect identified as Oneil Millise, a 42-year-old ex-convict, who is allegedly responsible for the fatal stabbing of a Brooklyn bodega worker. The incident, which has drawn significant attention, occurred on August 1, 2025, when Millise reportedly attacked 33-year-old Diego Rodrigo Sandoval Nava at a deli located on Hegeman Avenue at Van Siclen Avenue in East New York.
According to police reports, the confrontation began when Millise attempted to purchase loose cigarettes, a practice that is illegal, from the bodega. When Sandoval Nava refused the request, the situation escalated dramatically. Witnesses recount that Millise, dissatisfied with the cashier’s response, threatened to take the cigarettes by force. After being asked to leave the store, he returned shortly afterward, confronting Sandoval Nava directly and stabbing him multiple times in the torso.
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and transported Sandoval Nava to Brookdale University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. Eyewitness accounts detail a chaotic scene as the victim was seen clutching his side, visibly bleeding, before medical help was rendered.
Law enforcement officials have disclosed that Millise has a criminal history comprising 24 arrests, including multiple violent felonies such as robbery and assault. Notably, he was arrested on murder charges in 2014, although the current status of that case remains unclear. The NYPD has released a mugshot of Millise, intensifying their efforts to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
Friends and colleagues of Sandoval Nava remember him not only as a dedicated worker but also as a compassionate individual who often extended assistance to others. He reportedly had a teenage daughter who resides in Mexico, adding to the tragedy of his untimely death.
The New York City Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding Millise’s whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, ensuring confidentiality for those who provide assistance.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on alert, deeply affected by the events that unfolded in what is typically a familiar and welcoming setting.
