NYC Bodega Owner Told ABC A Year Ago He Feared For His Safety In The Violent City, Last Night, He Was Murdered

A New York shopkeeper who had previously spoken of his fears for his safety has been killed in a shooting inside his own store, leaving behind a grieving family and a shaken community.

Abdul Saleh, owner of Sal’s Deli in the East Village, was fatally shot during a confrontation involving a suspected shoplifter on April 25–26, 2026, according to reports.

The tragedy has taken on added poignancy after video resurfaced from a May 2025 interview with ABC News, in which Saleh openly expressed concerns about crime and the dangers he faced running his business.

In that interview, filmed inside his deli, Saleh spoke candidly about feeling vulnerable and worried about his safety while working long hours behind the counter.

Less than a year later, those fears became reality.

Authorities say the incident unfolded when a dispute escalated inside the store, culminating in gunfire. Saleh was struck in the torso and later died from his injuries.

In a further twist, the alleged perpetrator was also wounded, reportedly by a ricochet from his own weapon during the altercation.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, where Saleh was known as a hardworking business owner and family man.

He leaves behind his wife and child, who are now at the center of an outpouring of grief and support from neighbors and customers who frequented the deli.

Residents described him as a familiar and friendly presence in the neighborhood, someone who worked tirelessly to support his family while navigating the challenges faced by small business owners.

The resurfaced interview has only deepened the sense of loss, with many pointing to his earlier warnings as a tragic foreshadowing of what was to come.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the sequence of events that led to the confrontation.

For now, the focus in the East Village remains on mourning a life cut short, and supporting the family left behind after a devastating and deeply personal loss.