NYPD launches manhunt over Sheriff Shittu killing after Nigerian national was shot dead at a Brooklyn nightclub
The New York City Police Department has launched a manhunt for a suspect in the Sheriff Shittu killing after the 30-year-old Nigerian was shot dead inside a nightclub in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn.
Also read: Nigerian Army shoots Benue student in disturbing incident
Sheriff Shittu was gunned down in the early hours of February 14 at Quilox Lounge on Church Avenue near East 95th Street, according to police reports cited by Gothamist, operated by New York Public Radio.
Police officials said the shooting followed a dispute between Sheriff Shittu and another patron at about 4:30 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.
An NYPD official stated that Sheriff Shittu was shot in the head and later pronounced dead at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Centre.
Investigators said they are still working to determine the motive and have not disclosed details of the argument that preceded the fatal shooting.
The suspect was last seen wearing a black jacket and white trousers before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction.
According to available data referenced in local reports, the Sheriff Shittu killing marked the first gun-violence fatality recorded in the precinct this year.
Meanwhile, News 12 Brooklyn reported that Sheriff Shittu’s family has intensified calls for justice. Sheriff Shittu’s younger brother, Salem Shittu, described him as kind-hearted and ambitious, with aspirations in the fashion industry.
Salem Shittu said Sheriff Shittu had attended a birthday celebration at the nightclub before the altercation escalated.
Salem Shittu questioned how a firearm was brought into the venue, suggesting security lapses may have contributed to the tragedy.
For the Shittu family, the loss has created what relatives described as a painful void, with accountability now their primary focus.
The killing occurred barely a week after another Nigerian, Khaleed Oladipo, a 20-year-old student of De Montfort University, was fatally stabbed in Leicester while heading home to watch an English football match involving Arsenal F.C. and Chelsea F.C..
Also read: US freezes assets of eight Nigerians over terror links
Authorities in New York have urged anyone with information relating to the Sheriff Shittu killing to come forward as investigations continue.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
