“This morning, Council Members Eugene, Gentile and Greenfield along with representatives from Borough President Markowitz’s and my office were briefed by the NYPD’s lead investigators of the murder of three shopkeepers in Brooklyn and latest efforts to apprehend the suspect.

I’m deeply disturbed by these senseless acts of violence and my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims and with the people of Brooklyn, who are rightfully concerned for the safety of their community.

No one should be should be fearful to go out in the neighborhoods where they work and live, and I applaud the NYPD for taking these crimes seriously and for adding the Hate Crimes Task Force, as well as the FBI, to the investigation.

I want to thank Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly for working with the Council to facilitate today’s meeting. I am confident we will do all we can to keep New York safe and bring those responsible for these heinous murders to justice.

Rewards of $22,000 in each of the homicides are being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. I urge anyone with information about these crimes to call the Crimestoppers hot line anonymously at 1-800-577 TIPS.”
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