PERSON: Abdul Saleh (Deceased)

Bodega worker; killed in shooting incident

Abdul Saleh, who worked at his family’s deli store “Sal’s Deli & Grocery,” died after being shot in a dispute on the street just outside the deli store. The same Abdul had warned people about such dangers just a year before.

The tragedy gained massive attention after a viral X post from @DailyLoud resurfaced Saleh’s May 2025 interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News. In that clip, the then-27 or 28-year-old stood behind the counter and shared his worries.

“People get shot, killed. Sometimes you get robbed and the police never respond quick, come three, four hours late,”

He said. He added that he often saw violent incidents on social media and felt

“always something happens, and no one really cares.”

Saleh appeared in the ABC7 report as part of coverage on a city push to install panic buttons in hundreds of bodegas for faster direct alerts to police. He supported the idea, noting his store at East 13th Street and Avenue B did not yet have one. His words now carry painful weight after the shooting on April 25, 2026, just after 11:30 P.M.

As per the statements made by the police and the media, it all began with an oral altercation in the store called “Sal’s Deli & Grocery,” which apparently took place due to the victim owing money for his unpaid order or problems with him being a regular who was familiar with the employees. This altercation took place outside, after which shots rang out. Saleh was shot at his chest. The other individual involved was also injured in the exchange due to a bullet that was fired from his own weapon. He was 28-year-old Kavone Horton.

Saleh had come back from his visit to Yemen, where he had spent time with his infant son. He was married and had three other children a daughter aged three years and another son who was two years old. Saleh was known by his neighbors for being very friendly and smiling. His brother recalled that Saleh asked him to look after his children before he passed away.

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