NYPD Arrests Suspect in East Village Deli Shooting After Argument Over Food Credit Turns Fatal

Tragic Death of Abdul Saleh - Killer Gunned Down Beloved Worker Over Putting Food on Lay Away, Cops Say


By Staff Reporter

Manhattan Voice

April 28, 2026


NEW YORK, NY - An argument over putting food on lay away led to the fatal shooting that took the life of bodega worker Abdul Saleh. Now police have made an arrest and community residents are left scratching their heads over why someone would kill over such a minor issue.


The quiet streets of Manhattan’s East Village were shattered late Saturday night in what police say became a deadly dispute outside a neighborhood deli. Now, investigators have made an arrest in the case that has left one man dead and another recovering in the hospital.





According to the NYPD, the incident began at approximately 11:38 p.m. on April 25, 2026, when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting near East 13th Street and Avenue B. What they found upon arrival painted a chaotic and tragic scene—two 28-year-old men suffering from gunshot wounds to the torso.


Emergency responders quickly transported both victims to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. Despite efforts to save him, one of the victims, identified as Abdul Saleh, was pronounced dead. The second victim survived and remains in stable condition.


Police say the violence stemmed from what witnesses described as a heated argument inside Sal’s Deli & Grocery. The situation escalated rapidly, spilling out onto the sidewalk where gunfire erupted.


Eyewitness accounts are helping piece together what happened. One nearby resident reported hearing multiple gunshots and rushing outside to assist, performing chest compressions on the wounded deli worker before first responders arrived. Moments like these have become central to the ongoing investigation.


Authorities now say that the suspect, 28-year-old Kavone Horton of East 13th Street, was arrested the following day—Sunday, April 26, 2026—at approximately 6:25 p.m. within the confines of the 9th Precinct.


Horton has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including murder, manslaughter, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.


This case is drawing significant attention not only because of its tragic outcome but also due to the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Investigators believe the argument began when Horton allegedly attempted to obtain food on credit, which Saleh refused. That disagreement quickly intensified, ultimately turning deadly.


Officials continue to examine surveillance footage and gather statements as they work to fully understand the sequence of events. The case has also prompted broader concerns, with many asking about “violent crime incidents in East Village Manhattan 2026” and how disputes can escalate so quickly.


In response to the tragedy, the United Bodegas of America has stepped in, offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to further clarity and accountability. The organization’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the case and the urgency felt by local business owners.


For now, one family is grieving, another victim is recovering, and a neighborhood is left trying to make sense of how a late-night dispute turned into a fatal act of violence.


Police say the investigation remains ongoing.

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