[Nayeli]: A few blocks away, the security cameras recorded another assault that occurred in the early morning hours. On February 21st in New York, an attempted robbery turned into a deadly fight when the employees of a fish market claim they stopped two brothers who were trying to steal some shrimp. Junior Aquino, 34 years old, stabbed the alleged thieves, and one of them died. Junior was initially charged with murder, but the prosecutor later reduced the charge to first-degree assault. The Dominican father of the family spoke exclusively to OUR affiliate about the distress he is going through. Very bad. Like my life has changed so much in 35 seconds.
[Junior]: I intervened several times to prevent violence because... You see, I've been in this country for 13 years, right? I've never had an act of violence.
[Nayeli]: The fish market has not opened its doors since the tragic incident.
[Francisco]: It can't open. I've lost over $400,000 that I've invested here in this business. So, as a result of the violence... So, we defend ourselves and also lose business.
[Nayeli]: The incident at the fish market resembles what happened with José Alba, who killed a robber in self-defense at the convenience store where he worked. After spending a few days in jail, Alba was released and later fled the country. But the negative impact of these assaults has even complicated the hiring of workers for small business owners who cannot afford private security. Everything has become more complicated; I mean, people are not afraid to steal. They don't want to see them taking things in front of our own eyes.
[María]: I'm very scared because most of the criminals are armed too. When they don't have a knife, they have a firearm. And that's something for us, well, you can imagine. If we're defenseless, we're not protecting ourselves at all. Faced with the lack of public safety and the mass resignations in New York, activists are demanding that authorities increase the charges and penalties that those who attack employees and business owners should face. Taking it to class, they see crimes, and it's the same charge when the police... When a police officer passes by, it's the same charge. We are essential, essential workers for OUR community. We have always demonstrated that.
[Nayeli]: We tried to contact the New York Police Department, but we did not receive a response.